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.


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My soul has grown deep like the rivers.