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 rivers.

MULATTO

Because I am the white man's son--his own
Bearing his bastard birth-mark on my face,
I will dispute his title to my throne,
Forever fight him for my rightful place
There is a searing hate within my soul,
A hate that only kin can feel for kin,
A hate that makes me vigorous and whole,
And spurs me on increasingly to win.
Because I am my cruel father's child,
My love of justice stirs me up to hate,
A warring Ishmaelite, unreconciled,
When falls the hour I shall not hesitate
Into my father's heart to plunge the knife
To gain the utmost freedom that is life.