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Even when I delved into the science space, I still dreamt of and saw my artistic abilities finding expression.
It did not start today — from as far back as age ten, when I was still to know what life truly entails, this has been my dream.
Sometimes, it would come as a dream of the night, leaving me smiling all day. Other times, it came as a daydream. And when I watched top stars and role models perform so beautifully on the stage, it kind of rang a bell within me.
You know what they say about if wishes were horses, right? I can tell you for free that today, they're no longer wishes, nor daydreams, but a happening reality.
I remember the first time this dream was to find life. It was my first spoken word rendition. The youth president of my church had just sent a note to me which read.
“Delight, get ready, you are going up next.”
It felt as if my heart jumped out of my chest and returned. My palms were sweaty, and beads of sweat broke on my forehead. When I sighted him, he gave me a signal to meet him outside. Obediently, I stood up, like a thief who was going to plead not guilty.
When I got to the quiet hall, I found him leaning on the wall, arms tucked into one another, grinning at me. I mean, the dude was feeding his eyes and laughing at my weird expression. Can you imagine?
Whatever he seemed to be laughing at did not make any sense to me, so I kept a straight face. I think he got the message because he sighed, adjusted, and found a serious tone.
“Forgive me, Delight,” he said, but I threw my face elsewhere, pouting like an angry kid. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror but I didn't care.
“Alright! Let's do it this way,” he resumed. “You face the mirror and render your poetry.”
I obeyed, turning to the mirror like it was a judge. I shut my eyes, drew in some breath, and opened them slowly.
“Dear living... God is love.” I began in a calm, but shaky tone. He asked me to pause. Then walked forward and stood close to me. He fixed his eyes on the mirror and repeated my words, using a calmer, powerful tone. I loved it.
It went that way for the next five minutes until he was sure I could go up. Just then, my name was mentioned and I found my way into the auditorium — not with full confidence, but with something that could save the day.
After rendering my poetry before an audience of over five hundred people, something opened up in me: my dream had come alive.
Since then, I've been living the life I envisioned for so long, building my poetic potential and wading through phases.
This is the fourth year since the transformation began. I'm currently in my final semester as a student of science education, but believe me when I say that being a science student doesn’t hide my potential in any way. I am rooted in science, no doubt, but art lives freely in me. If I'm not on the stage doing what I love to do via spoken word poetry, I'm penning down words that captivate. And if I'm not doing any of these, you'll find me in my drama club, directing and leading a stage play.
This is the best part of my story. This chapter is all about evolving and expressing all I'm meant to be.
Yes is good to always follow are dreams because that is where we will find joy. Thank you for sharing.
You're definitely correct. Thank you for engaging.
You're welcome
This piece captured me! But it was crying out to be developed further. I wanted to know more about how you came to be presenting poetry that day and what your inspiration was for your poem. I wanted you to show me how your experience on stage unfolded. Show us an arc... from nerves to confidence and how you felt throughout, or what difference it made. Show us the key moments during the delivery of your piece, the relationship and interaction between you and the audience.
Tell us and show us this life that you have been building. How have you been doing it and what phases have you waded through?
Keep writing... there is a lot of potential here!
I've read through and now see what was amiss in the piece. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, @theinkwell. I'll work on it in my piece.
Awww
This is nice
Many of us do have stage fright when we are called up on stage especially when it’s not something we do or are used to. But at the end, you overcame that fear and something beautify was born out of it.
Nice and congratulations, woman of science with art in the mind
Thank you so much. 🤗
Hmmm, I can't even imagine myself standing in front of a crowd to display myself. But working towards your dream makes it even easier as your mind has been made up already to face whatever that will stand in front of you.
You're right. But if you do want to stand before a crowd, you can. It takes determination one step at a time.
Sure, I will prefer that.
You’re really brave. Someone like me develops stage fright whenever I get on the stage
It’s so good that you are living your dream and I wish you the best in your stage plays