Poetry Response – Langston Hughes

I think “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes is the best poem because it explains the roots of African-Americans. It felt like a tale with lesson you can learn. Langston Hughes used well-known allusion and simpler language to get his point across to his audience. The poem was targeted for everyone and it was much easier to understand. His allusions were to important parts of African-American roots and they were easy to understand with little research. Through the poem we see that African-America roots are strong and powerful, he was speaking not only for himself but also for his people, his ancestors. There is a reflection and proud tone to the poem. I like that his poem is literal, straightforward and audience can understand it easily.