BEAUTIFUL YESTERDAY ( REMINISCENCE) //Poem by_ Rita Peter Okoro_
Like a newly birthed eagle
Springing out from the horizon
With so much anticipation
To embrace higher living, freedom and accomplishments
It was the first exit
From the citadel of learning
Tomorrow is gazing at my face
Regions to visit
Rivers to cross
Many peaks to attain
Juliet’s Romeo to meet
Here’s the world
Beyond borders
Here’s power, influence and the path to choose
Here’s a journey of a million steps
Here’s winning
Would I climb the mountains?
Can I change the narrative?
Will my name be written on the sands of time?
I can start living after all?
I can try...
What if it’s not noticed?
What if I can’t reach there?
But I did reach the target
I made the impact
My name is on the lips of all the young people in the region
Yes! I shone the light
On the hearts of the young
I gave them a reason to try
I gave them a platform to shine
I let them make a name
And they made my name too
In my hands laid the evidence of impact
The media held the memories
Posterity told the story
Memories...
The young lady from far away Igbo state
Amiable, yet focused
Soft spoken yet determined
To stand out I dared
The impossibilities? Obvious
Yet, the possibility is tangible
The wings of the wind opened
She rode!
Nature saw her and helped her
Nothing could stop here
Gradually, every bit came together
Gradually, the stories became a headline
Yes! She held her dreams in her hands!
That was the platform
Meant to be the stepping stone
Into the life she dreamt of
Everything worked well
Everyone said yes
But the treacherous ones connived ...
How can she walk into prominence while we watch?
No, even if she deserves it, she won’t get it
Even life itself is not fair
"Wait" they said
She waited and waited
Days turned into weeks
Weeks turned into months
Then a year passed
She kept the hope
She kept waiting
But yesterday became a dream
Beautiful yesterday stayed in the past!
© Rita Peter Okoro_
Mrs. Rita Peter-Okoro is an astute Educator and freelance writer. She is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Calabar (1998). She is a nationally and internationally certified Teacher with a wealth of experience in the Education sector. Rita Peter-Okoro was awarded with twin awards after her NYSC in Akwa- Ibom State: NYSC Year 2000 Akwa- Ibom State Governor’s Award and NYSC Year 2000 Eket Local Government Award for promoting Science Education .Rita Peter-Okoro is married to Mr. Peter Okoro and their union is blessed with children. She is currently a Head of School in Port Harcourt where she lives with her family