Jessica Nnaukwu
@jessicannaukwu
1 year ago

Life is really strange.
One moment I'm scrolling through Instagram and the next I'm trying out for a contest.
I see the title my Nigerian dream and I begin to wonder
What is my Nigerian dream?
They say dreams are just your thoughts and imaginations playing out in your head at night.
Some say it's a revelation of what is to come.
I choose to believe it's a revelation or at least I hope it's one.
My Nigerian dream is of one where I don't have to worry about tomorrow.
One where I can comfortably sleep at night knowing that the little I have will be enough.
One where I don't have to triple check my doors at night just to feel a sense of security.
My Nigerian dream as a youth is one in which I don't have to feel inferior when I see a white man on the streets due to the conditions of my country.
In my dream, I believe that we the youths can actually make a change if we are given the chance to lead and not be looked down on
Yes they say what my elder sees sitting down I can't see or even begin to fathom, even if I climbed the highest mountain.
But how would you know I will fall if I haven't been given the chance to act.
In my Nigerian dream, I see the people succeeding in pride, happy elders and hopefull youths, the little children still innocent and pure, not corrupted by the system.
In my Nigerian dream we have a chance to decide who leads us without the fear or thoughts of foul play.
In my Nigerian dream we are given the freedom to express ourselves on the streets without the fear of being gunned down, beaten or arrested.
In my Nigerian dream, I as a young woman can comfortably walk alone without the fear of what may lurk in the corners of the street, I dream of a Nigeria where I can comfortably voice out my opinions without being looked down on for my gender, a Nigeria where I don't need to believe that I need a man to live comfortably because I am given a chance to hustle in any field I choose.
In my Nigerian dream I see my brothers grow up happy and fulfilled not being oppressed by the happening boys, by those who steal and make up excuses about why they do so.
In my Nigerian dream I am happy and fulfilled.
And now I pose a question to you, how can we make our dreams come true?
Or will it always remain a dream?
Wishful thoughts that live, grow and die with us.
I don't just want to dream, I want to act and make it possible but I can't do it alone.

#poetry #poetrycontest
#mynigeriandream

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@omotayomorgan