Victory at the Teen Poetry Slam

29.06.2024

I am excited. Excited enough to admit that I haven’t been this happy in a while, and that I now understand what people mean when they say; they got a sign from the universe. 

I like to believe that I got mine today too. 

I barely acknowledge the universe, I say it is God. In softer terms, I say, its the Divine. So I got a sign from the divine. My sign that my time is now, and that there has never been a better time than today, and that truly, I have been called for such a time as this.

Na, 

Dear reader, this article is not about me. But maybe, it could just be – about me. You know?

First things first.

I just returned from the Teen Poetry Slam. It was intense in there. But individuals from the team I trained (Gayaza High School) came out in positions number two and three. Yaayyy!!!

So yeah, you can imagine, of-course, this is my version of a Victor’s Dance – Writing this here, and sharing with you, here and now. 

Shout out to Gayaza High School. Chale, I feel great. I am sure the students feel even better. 

Second things second –

Now  over a week ago, I got a call from my dear friend, colleague, mentor, and previously, my form two teacher, Jessy C. Ssendawula. 

He calls me, for a gig. To train his students, for a Poetry slam. Now let’s face it, I have not referred to myself as a poet in years. Even though, the first thing I ever wrote, was a poem. In fact, they were a collection of about fifteen to twenty poems that Jessy himself edited, when I was a form two kid. Eh, I was fourteen okay?

I write poetry. I recite it in my head. No. I write poetry – I turn it into stage plays. Nah, I write poetry, then I film it for my YouTube. But do I upload it? No, Okay okay, Okay. Sometimes I do all that, most times I don’t. Not at all.  Because why, maybe my first obsession is write everything else but poetry?

Back to my high school – form two. I thought I could give this thing called writing a shot. I did. And the rest is history.  Jessy edited my poems so beautifully that when I saw my work, I couldn’t believe it so I decided that I would become a writer, in that very instant. And I owe much of my becoming, to men or teachers like Jessy.

You know that time we usually call  a ‘destiny defining moment’? Well, that was it for me. Today, – 29/06/2024 – was another one of those. 

But not just for me. For several teens who were in that hall with me, sharing their gifts with the world. I have never been happier than I am now., to see myself directly impact the life, or performance of an individual, and to feel appreciated for it. God knows, I am grateful. And you know what? You guessed right. All the way home while I sat in that matatu, I kept smiling to myself. I sat by the window, and allowed my mind to savor the event. Replay, pause. Replay. Now, Feel. How do you really feel? What has the whole experience taught you?

God knows, the Girls I trained are grateful, God knows, many other teens and youths  I didn’t get an opportunity to interact with are grateful. Or maybe not.

So I came out here, to bombard you with lots of pictures, from my experience, and to share this good news with you. This is the news precisely.

1. I AM HONORED TO HAVE BEEN THE TUTOR/TRAINER/COACH FOR THE GIRLS (TEEN POETRY SLAM PARTICIPANTS) FROM GAYAZA HIGH SCHOOL.
2. I AM GRATEFUL THAT GAYAZA HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH MY FRIEND (JESSY C. SSENDAWULA) GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE MY MARK, ON THEIR GIRLS/STUDENTS, AND ON THEIR SCHOOL.
3. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD, THAT HE GAVE THESE WONDERFUL POETS/ TALENT ARTISTS, A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE, I AM GLAD WE TOOK POSITIONS TWO AND THREE. I am grateful because every girl, even outside of those positions, that stood on that stage, gave their performance their best, their whole, to the best of their ability and knowledge, at this particular point in time. This year, this month, this day. The rest is (or shall become), History.
4. CONGRATS TO TAIBER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, THEY TOOK FIRST POSITION (and congrats to their Trainer Lus the Poet. Well done bro,)
5. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE DIVINE, BECAUSE I GET TO WRITE ABOUT THIS, AND SHARE WITH THE WORLD, AND ALSO, AWAKEN SOMETHING WITHIN ME.

PROPHETIC DECLARATION!

Dear Poets, make room for me, make room for the girls, make room for the new – I am sure, there is room large enough for all of us, so I am grateful. (Side note; Hey, you’re not ready) Ha-ha. You know if you know!

One Another Note;

1. BABALUKU, one of Uganda’s legendary rappers and creatives came through and bwoy oh bouy, I’ve nver been so thrilled, cross paths with such an Enigma. Babaluku, when you see this, ‘I am grateful for your kind words. – I promise that I, and a few others who worship at your alter, will not disappoint.’

WHeW! DEEP BREATH!

FEEL THE ENERGY? – YASS! DEFINETELY. 

…

OKAY, ENJOY SOME PICTURES BELOW, AND OF COURSE, my instagram is HERE, go watch you some entertainment from the poetry slam, of course, you’re allowed to have a peep into my exciting personal life. Invade my space okay? And have fun while at it. Ha-ha. 

(This Blog was originally published on medium.com. Read Original Post HERE)

Ciao.