The Boat and the Fishermen of the Niger
morgan omotayo@omotayomorgan
16 days ago
In the early hush of morning,
the fishermen rise, eyes still soft with sleep,
their hands weathered like old wood,
fingers tracing memories of rivers and tides.
They push their boats into the Niger,
silent and steady, the river an old friend.
The paddle dips and pulls like a lullaby,
each stroke carrying whispers of home.
The mist wraps around them, cool and low,
like a mother's gentle breath, watching them go.
They hum songs that their fathers knew,
of fish and stories, of what the river grew.
The nets, heavy and frayed, are cast wide,
arms stretching like wings, open and free.
They toss their hopes on the river’s skin,
waiting for her to give, to welcome them in.
The sun climbs, warm on their backs,
and laughter breaks through the work—
a joke, a memory, a moment shared,
their bond as thick as the morning air.
When the nets come back full, they feel the weight—
not just of fish, but of dreams caught, too,
of children’s laughter, of bread on the table,
of promises made in the cool river’s cradle.
They turn back, paddling slow, boats low with bounty,
and the river carries them home,
like a father, strong and steady,
guiding his sons back to shore.
#poetry
#LifeOnTheNiger
#FishermenStories
#SoulOfTheRiver
#NigerRiverLife
#CatchAndDream
#GenerationsOnWater
#NigerJourney
#RiverAndHome
#MorningOnTheNiger
#HeartOfTheFisherman
#BoundToTheRiver
#HandsOfTheRiver
#TraditionInTides
#LegacyOfTheNiger
#NetOfDreams
