Am Optimistic!

Forward ever

Backward never

Onward ever

Looking back never

Am always optimistic

And never pessimistic

I have always been

And would continue to be

For one happy day

Just one happy day

And that day is already at hand

All these trials would become a history

And I will sleep and wake up each day like a king

And no more like a pauper

All labels would suddenly disappear

No more to be called ‘that one’

No more to be denied jobs

No more to be seen as a second-class citizen

No more to be degraded and humiliated

Just because of a piece of paper

That day is nigh

And it is filled with hopes and assurances

At least one would finally be assured

Of a warm comfortable bed devoid of anxiety

A very peaceful night and a bright morning

The freedom to walk along the street

Without the fear of interrogation and deportation

Optimism!

Am optimistic!

That is my strength and my stronghold

My faith and my hope

And it shall not be in vain.

Chukwunwikezarramu Okumephuna

June 22, 2009.