The Wild Angalas of Niger Delta
Standing at the desolate banks of Ekinama Island,
the mid-day sun overhead illuminates the mangrove and creeks,
revealing the moody poise and ambience embracing the burnt vegetation on the other side.
A silenced landscape looms beyond,
Staked with a hundred sooth-coated lifeless trunks,
underlain by a puffy mosaic of brown and lemon green grasses,
Bleached sands under feet, multi-coloured birds chirruping lamentations of their lost habitation.
They bring back the memories of a raging fire,
The angry fire that slew the people in their hundreds;
The fire which cruelly paid their wages of oil bunkering.
How deeply I wish the Niger Delta can be as peaceful,
and calm,
…just as her waters are.
Sooth-coated trunks of Ekinama Island
Shores of Ekinama Island (during a heavy rainfall)
The Lifeless but Beautiful Angalas (mangrove) of Niger Delta, at dusk.
Filed under: Travel, Travelogue
