At long last, and, in obvious spite of all my dilly-dallying, the long-awaited ‘poem’ is here. Lemme just say again that I was greatly out of my depth (as evidenced by poem number 2) venturing into the world of poems. I never really felt comfortable in that realm; it’s more of my sis’s thing. So, you’re very correct if you’re thinking I don’t like them much.

All that said, there are a few positives I would like this ‘comedy session’ to remind me of:

First: I was moved to write this solely by a sense of responsibility. Even if it never got picked, it must have inspired a few of the older CDS members to find that the ‘new kid’ already put in an entry.

Second: if you’ve seen (or heard) the news, you’ll probably go through with a furrowed brow, wondering how blind I can be. No wonder they say “there’s none so blind as he who would not see”. This ‘poem’ reminds me of the attitude with which I took on Borno; the same one that has got me going till now. Yes, that one that almost had my dad pack his bags and journey up here on holiday.

When you’re done laughing at how poor a soul can get at poetry, please remind yourself that attitude and reality are truly “worlds apart”.

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have” – Frederick Keoning

 

“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song” – Lou Holtz

 

“At a point, all my yearning was for tertiary learning

Through the travails and pains, I kept the faith

Knowing that, one day, the reality of a bright future would come my way

It felt like forever but in the end it was over

Finally, the day came for me to dump the chains

 

Service-year was an experience we all craved dear

Knowing it was the last hurdle – the final piece of a lofty puzzle

Alas, when the list finally came, my jaws were hung like drapes

On the rise were my worries and cares – as I endured all the jeers

Friends came to offer advice, but the very best didn’t sound nice

 

They said “learn to tame a fly – and wear a suit at night”

No rain, all heat, prepare well for rashes

So much dust you’ll soon need glasses

Unless you own a car, their sun will make you dark

Be sharp to all their gimmicks as they know nothing in English”

 

So, with a clouded brain, my heavy ship set sail

Heavily treading the mire, thinking my lot was dire

Now, I’m here – wondering how the rumours appeared

From the valleys to the hills, I feel nothing but bliss

It’s like I’ve got a second engine; indeed, I’m to be envied

 

So I ask: did I really have to come this far?

Did it have to be Borno?

WELL, where else would I have known the pride of selfless service?

Where else would I have seen such clear beautiful night-skies?

How else would I have learnt to wake early to a new day?

 

And, yes! It had to be Borno

Or I may never have learnt that tales and truth are truly worlds apart!

 

Imisi

Editor, EnP CDS”

 

*And, YES, this is the one that didn’t make the cut the last time. Funny how it may not make it again; my next ‘poem’ explains why!