“I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins”
— Langston Hughes
Simplified Meaning:
The quote is about the timelessness and deep history of rivers. It suggests that rivers have been around for an incredibly long time, far longer than humans have existed. For example, think about the Nile River in Egypt; it has been flowing for thousands of years, way before humans started building cities or even forming communities. Just like these ancient rivers, some things in the world have been in existence long before people came along. This can remind us to appreciate nature and consider how small we are compared to the vast history of the Earth. It encourages us to respect the natural world and realize that we are just a small part of a much bigger picture. By reflecting on this, we can feel more connected to the world and its long history.