Worlds Apart

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

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"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
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"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song" – Lou Holtz
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"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
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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
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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"
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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
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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?
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And, yes! It had to be Borno
Or I may never have learnt that tales and truth are truly worlds apart!
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Imisi
Editor, EnP CDS"
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*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!