A Tour of Poetry Archive - Monica Ali

On my initial visit to the Poetry Archive, the historical recordings caught my attention first. I did not know that recordings of Tennyson, for instance, existed. Although some of the following lines were a little indistinct, it was incredibly exciting to hear the opening lines of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'. Afterwards, I explored the children's section with my kids, and they got all their poetry books out and searched for favourite poets. Then I spent time discovering poets who were new to me.

When you've listened to a poem, press BACK to come back here.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers
by Langston Hughes
Hughes is one of my favourite poets but this was the first time I had heard his voice, which conveys both strength and emotion and makes the poem all the more moving. When you hear him say, 'my soul has grown deep like the rivers' you find a little catch in your throat.

A Tour of Poetry Archive - Monica Ali