The Suffocating Niger

Oh Niger! Our brave Niger, Who used to breathe Breathing life Into our jungle: Into beasts Into fishes Into birds Even into man. In those days When top trees Served as mere ground For the squirrel; In those days When top trees Served as mere ground For monkey When the bare-handed hunter Caught alive the panther. But now! The beasts are reasoning And beastly is the man The trees are stunting And plumeless are the birds The fishes are panting to death Because our Niger has lost her breath. O noble Niger, Our loving Niger Now suffocating, you are In the midst of mixed air!