28. The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes - A Friend to Roy McFarlane

Welcome to The Poetry Exchange. We have conversations with individuals about a poem that has been a friend to them. In exchange we make them a gift: a unique recording of their chosen poem, inspired by the conversation and their thoughts and feelings about the poem. The Poetry Exchange takes place in a range of venues and settings, featuring public visitors and special guests. In this episode of our podcast, you will hear Roy Mcfarlane about the poem that has been a friend to him: 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' by Langston Hughes. We are delighted to feature 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' in this episode and would like to thank Harold Ober Associates for allowing us to use it in this way. You can read the poem in 'Vintage Hughes' published by Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/84100/vintage-hughes-by-langston-hughes/9781400034024/ Roy visited The Poetry Exchange at the Festival in a Factory at the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent. We’re very grateful to the Festival in a Factory and Emma Bridgewater for hosting us so warmly. https://festivalinafactory.co.uk https://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk Roy McFarlane is a poet and his latest collection, 'The Healing Next Time' is now available from Nine Arches Press: http://ninearchespress.com/publications/poetry-collections/the%20healing%20next%20time.html You can find out more about Roy and his work at his website: http://www.roymcfarlane.com Roy is in conversation with The Poetry Exchange team members, Fiona Bennett and Al Snell. 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' is read by Fiona Bennett. ***** The Negro Speaks of Rivers By Langston Hughes I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I’ve known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. From The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Copyright © 1994 the Estate of Langston Hughes.