For Petalisi On The Eve Of Qsc Senituli Poem by Asolua Fifita

You left this morning all excited
For today
Performing for the Queen
I tried
To be the best version of a
Queen Salote mum
Yet knowing
It wasn't quite fulfilling

Today
I looked for you amongst the sea of blue
Seeking, hoping to get a glimpse
Although knowing
You're either at the very back
Or at the far end
I watched the perfect movements
The hand gestures
The glides and twists
Done to perfection
For royalty

Tears filled my eyes
For in that sea of blue
And white feathers
Your small hands are performing
In sync with your heart and soul
For the honor of the school you love
Where Queens and princesses
Royals and leaders
Are bred and made

Every hands in sync
With the lyrics and music
The hands of hundreds
Become one
In that moment
Each girl ceased to be
Her own
But a single identity
A Queen Salote student

Yet to me
Your presence in that blue sea
Represents your grandmother
Your aunties and myself
Who may not want to admit
But
Was once in that sea of blue
Clapping and performing
To one tune
And lyrics
From centuries ago