He always wrote
about fine strength & endurance
of noir silk
and sometimes, he'd die
with them on the same page --
he too, was America;
the darker
brother who scribed of rivers;
he'd known rivers,
he'd known the deep
onward movement
of Congo currents.
If you crack open
a binder you'd find
him sitting
in Harlem's Cotton Club
or Savoy's Ballroom track
at a table crowned
with puffs and swirls
from the continent without cold;
read him pen
to the struck wired
strings, of Ellington,
scribble along
with Calloway's
chest rolled
hi-de-hi's,
ho-de-ho's.
Then, you'd notice
his soul
would meander
back to the rivers --
look close,
watch him drink
from Euphrates' mouth
handfuls of Black-men hopes,
listen,
hear him sip
from Nile's lip
cocao and coffee dreams --
it'll be then,
you'll know
he'd known those rivers,
he'd known
slow,
slow,
trickles
of wearied ink;
Negro rivers.
Author notes
Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was a member of an abolitionist family. He was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston, brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the first Black American to be elected to public office, in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet. His father didn't think he would be able to make a living at writing, and encouraged him to pursue a more practical career. He paid his son's tuition to Columbia University on the grounds he study engineering. After a short time, Langston dropped out of the program with a B+ average; all the while he continued writing poetry. His first published poem was also one of his most famous, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", and it appeared in Brownie's Book. Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories appeared in the NAACP publication Crisis Magazine and in Opportunity Magazine and other publications. (www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html)
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. -- Langston Hughes
I wrote of what inspired Langston Hughes' poems.
Oh and...always editing
Written July 17th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Popular Old Poets - PART II (2nd Set of winners only) by Old Poetry.
500 points, ended August 1, 2006, 3 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 42 of 42
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Great write I love the pattern I love the symbolic of the poem and its meaning, I think you done an awsome job on this write.
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Oh my! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GOLD WIN! This poem is so deserving of that merit!
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BRAVO! BRAVISSIMO!
"read him pen
to the struck wired
strings, of Ellington,"
Langston Hughes is who inspired me to be a poet at the early age of 12. He did a lot of his writing at Karamu House Theatre where I later worked for nine years. Even sat in a transformed office that was his apartment daily. I am charmed at this writ. It springs forth with the jazz of this brilliant poet. I smiled through the entire read. What a sophisticated tribute. I am book marking this poem so that I can be reminded of his fiber through your words. Exquisite!
Much Love ♥
Renee
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Brava!
Dear Poet, This was brilliant and I loved it dearly! The words and they way you presented them combine into an incredible tribute. I love reading your poetry and aspire to its quality as well. This was outstanding! Jane -
This is a superb poem in every way. I like how you laid it out. How wonderful of you to share such a great poet with us. I loved the author notes you brought forth so very well. Excellent imagery and flow of the poem. One thing I share in common with this poet is that even my dad thinks I won't make a living out of poetry. Only time will tell
Good use of assonance. Congratulations on the Gold and points. Very well deserved.
All the best,
Charishma
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I'm only sorry I haven't made comment on this before today. It's a beautiful piece of word-art taken from a man who I feel had a great deal of empathy and courage.
I enjoyed your interpretation of his work, it flowed so well.
Von
Edited on Jul 29, 7:40 p.m. because 'typo'. -
Whilst I freely admit Langston Hughes is not one of my favourite poets you have made me view him much more sympathetically and have made we want to read more and learn more. In that respect you have accomplished one of the objectives of this contest.
Your use of some of the poet's own words without destroying your own flow was very well done.
A very impressive piece of writing.
Well done.
Jim -
Well hey mickeyschick, when did you change your name? Glad you enjoyed the read. By all means go to Old Poetry and read Hughes and other great poets.
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This was really a great tribute to an obviousely very liked poet.I have not read anything by him,but will have to in the near future.I love the Bio you gave in the Author Comments.It gave me a nice sense of who he was and where he came from.Thanks for the wonderful read!!
~Krys~
AKA
mikeyschick -
Thanks sweetie, I'm glad you enjoyed the read. I've been after your sweetie to write something. Just trying to get his muse going -- hope he writes something soon. I know when he does write something it'll probably be about you
So glad you enjoyed the read. -
Being South African I actually discovered Langston Hughes by accident...was browing in a book shop one day when I saw one of his poetry volumes - and bought it right there. Having read your wonderful poem and this great tribute to a true poet I think I'll go read some of his poetry again! We need more poems like these to bring great poetry back into our eyes. Great work, Dee!
~ Nicolette
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Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment. Now, if I could just master the rhyming poetry, I'd be a more rounded writer
Thanks for reading.
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Darling SparrowsEye
Everyday somehow my God
blesses wherever I plod
giving me novel views
artistically grand and new.
So too with Hughes
who I have reviewed
revealing how his soul
grew fine and whole.
Smoosh
Janet -
You've never heard of Langston Hughes? Please, go to Old Poetry and read his works. There are many, MANY wonderful poets there. Thanks so much for reading.
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Thanks so much for reading. He was a wonderful poet.
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Thanks for reading. He was a marvelous poet and I'm honored to have read his works.
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A good portrait of a highly interesting person. I've never heard of him, but your piece is enough to fascinate me. I've been to Africa (Kenia and Tansania) several times, and though the rivers and landscape are not as still as your poem sounds, their peacefulness and the beauty that Afro-Americans took with them is very well brought out by this piece. Wonderful.
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This is really good. That's pretty much all that I can think of to say about it, because nothing I could possibly say could explain why I like it. It's flowy and nice, and about an interesting person. Good job!
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Thanks for the author comments telling of this poet which is very enlightening and informative to those who do not know him. I have read a few of his poems on here and at another site. He wrote a beautiful love poem, cannot remember the title but that is how I first sought out his other poetry. You have done well in your descriptions of this poet within your poem. Thank you for sharing and teaching.
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I like contests like these, they give me inspiration. Glad you enjoyed the read.
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This is a great contest idea, isn't it? I spend so much of time when not reading here - reading the poets of the past. They provide such a source of inspiration to me.
I have not read too much of Mr. Hughes work and you do a fine job of making me wish to seek him out. I read this yesterday and wondered if I could property comment without really knowing his work. And yes, I can. I like this. Good luck in the contest and kudos for recognizing one of the greats.
Lisa
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Very excited for the recommendations. Thank you!!
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Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment. I just love to write.
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Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment
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Awesome write.You capture the spirit of the poet very well.Very good flow and very informative.good luck in the contest.
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Wow, I love this piece. I am a big fan of Langston Hughes. I love this tribute to him. It has such a great flow, and such a poetic grace to it. Great write. - cgirl0410
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Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment. You may also like Rita Dove and Gwen Brooks. If you like the more radical poets you also may like Nikki Giovanni. These are all modern day accomplished Black poets.
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Oh yes please do. There are so many wonderful black poets from the Renaissance and now that should be read. I love poetry regardless of the color of the hand that held the pen. Oh my -- I feel a poem coming on
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Oh thanks Renee,
I'm grew up not far from Cleveland and studied Langston in my creative writing class. The Harlem Renaissance was an era I wish could have gone on longer than it did. So much black art of all genres was lost with coming of WWII.
I'm truly humbled by your compliment
~Dee -
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Dee,
I couldn't help but comment on this poem again. LOL
I love Langston! 
Renee
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Dear Sparrow,
What a gifted poet you are! This is highly provocative!
I confess I do not have any poetry on my shelf by him, nor by any other "black" poets, save one, Paul Dunbar. And in reading this I become acutely cognizant that I am missing much.
Believe that I will straightaway take a dive into OP and take a look at this astounding poet's things.
Regards,
John -
This is absolutely sensational. I am a fan of Langston Hughes. As a matter of fact I worked for nine years in his former apartment at Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre. The oldest Black Theatre in America. I have studied his works continuously. You have captured the essence of this profound poet. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from the same high school my mother graduated from (Central High). I so aspire to be as well--known and published as he is. I am honored and humbled to be so mesmerized by your musing.
Simply BRILLIANT
I asked if I could enter this challenge. But of course I could not because I am on the OP staff. You have written on the poet I would have written about. You did an exceedingly fantastic job! I am in awe.
I wish you all the best in this challenge.
Much Love,
Renee
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No fooling, I get a lump in my throat when I read this. This is some high writing. Important history, inspired poetry. The music legends mentioned as his muses, make me want to go read his work and yours to the Duke . . .and to Cab . . .and wow . . .thanks. Think I have myself an afternoon project. I'm certainly adding you to my list of favorites.
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Wow what a fantastic write ..I do not know of this poet , but you have brought to me a soul a passion a personality a time and i can hear music as in my mind eye i watch the river .
Well done . Just came from Muddy Kings Poem about cotton . -
a~m~a~z~i~n~g
this is excellently written nice work i feel the emotion in this peice i loved it hugs and *kiss <3emily -
Oh my thanks so much for reading. I'm glad for the inspiration to write about a wonderful poet. He had no clue he was history dressed in black or brown cheviot.
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Welcome to the arena SparrowsEye. You have enterred the tourney with style. good Luck
Jim -
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.
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i think it beautiflly easy to read it has soul
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wonderful
I love Langston Hughs and I love this poem. You have got to keep on writing. This poem shows his style like none I have ever seen. Truly, you know Langston Hughs and I salute you! -
Thanks so much for reading, this was indeed a challenge.
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brilliant / strong words~*~
Totally awesome prose of one of America's very vivid out spoken poets. Wish he was still among us living. My favorite poem is titled: A Dream Deferred by Mr. Langston Hughes...You've done an excellent job. Your talent has no bounds....write ON!...ennovy
Edited on Jul 17, 12:41 because ''.
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