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 the rivers.

Which statement best describes the significance of the four rivers specifically mentioned in the poem?

A)All four rivers played an important role in the history of the ancestors of African Americans.

B)All four rivers played a critical role throughout world history.

C)The four rivers represent places where horrible crimes have been committed against people of African descent.

D)All four rivers were places that the speaker lived while he was growing up.