A Night That Awakened A Feeling So Divine
That fateful night will forever be a red letter day to me.
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June 3rd, 2020, was a milestone day - the first time my poem was read on a radio station. That night was dark and quiet, and I couldn’t sleep as sleep seemed far away. I beckoned sleep to come, but it wasn’t forthcoming. I smiled to myself when I remembered my favorite radio station, Cool FM, and their "Cool Inscriptions" program, where poets' works are publicly read.
Tuning in to Cool FM was a passion I’d developed, a night routine I usually followed when sleep eluded me. Cool FM hosts "Cool Inscriptions" every Wednesday, an avenue for poets to share their work. The poet with the best poem wins Cool cash, voted by callers who choose their favorite poem. This ensures a fair vote, never partial. About twenty five poets participate, but only five with the best poems are nominated for voting. The best poet receives 5,000 naira, supporting writers and poets passionate about their craft.
Since discovering "Cool Inscriptions," I'd been an avid listener and voter. Now, I thought, "It's high time I send in mine." I listened to the radio presenter, Deon, read poems already submitted. I'd written many poems, but none had been read before. Determined and elated, I decided to send in "Loving You." After submitting it via WhatsApp, I eagerly waited, more attentive than usual, so I wouldn't miss it.
I anticipated with passion, but after an hour, my poem hadn't been read. Many poems had been read, and I felt awful, wanting to turn off the radio and sleep. However, a second thought struck me: "Why not resend it? Maybe Deon missed it." I waved this thought aside, but it lingered. With the show ending at 12:00 a.m. and poem submissions closing at 11:30 p.m., I decided to resend my poem at 11:20 p.m.
I was passionate about hearing my poem read by Deon, who had a soothing voice. I also hoped to win money if mine was the best. Shortly after resending it, my poem was read at 11:25 p.m. Deon read my poem! I screamed excitedly and quickly recorded it. It was a blissful moment, one of my best nights ever. Deon complimented my poem, lifting my spirit, and I received applause since it was my first time having a poem read on air.
Though I wasn't nominated for a win, I felt elated due to the compliments from Deon and callers who voted. I felt an extra force igniting my passion for writing, a flame set to burn high. That night unlocked a feeling so divine, knowing my poetry journey would bring me wins someday. I'd experienced something special, and I always would.
