The Riverman

A river bends through a dense pine and spruce forest, its waters clogged with logs that turn the current into a floating highway. At a humble camp beside a mill, a ragged group of men—young, old, and everything in between—huddle around fires, their boots studded with sharp spikes, their eyes sharp as the work they do. The scene crackles with the scent of pine smoke, the chatter of pipe‑smoking rivermen, and the constant whisper of the wind that threatens to turn the river into chaos.

Against this backdrop, a restless newcomer challenges the seasoned crew, brandishing a heavy cant‑hook as tension rises. The seasoned veteran’s calm warnings hint at a hard‑won knowledge of the river’s unforgiving nature. As the men prepare to push downstream toward Bull’s Dam, the listener can feel the gritty rhythm of river life, the camaraderie and rivalry that shape every riverman’s day.