WAITING FOR A LECTURE by Debra Ayis Blue skies Fresh green leaves Red roofs Brown cottages Springy grass Open windows Sitting by Knitting blue wool Palm trees Come to mind On sandy beaches Skimpy clothing Bright sunny day Warm but breezy Back to the present Martha, Ayo and I Standing here Under this tree Waiting for a lecture

In my earlier years, I constantly swung between being optimistic and cynical. Whenever I wanted something desperately, I would fix my mind on it and pour 110 percent of myself into it, along with a few prayers. But whenever things didn’t work out my way, I would react like a spoilt child who didn’t get the candy she asked for. In those moments, overwhelmed by disappointment—and sometimes, resentment toward God—I would tell myself that it was better to be a cynic than an optim