If I Were... Poem by Francois GUIMATSIA

If I were living in the country as a farmer,
Hard-working I'd be, come shine or rain,
Just elated to know that my bags of grain
Feed the hungry at home and elsewhere.

If I were, like Pelé, a sports celebrity,
Driven by my fans' pleasure, not by fame,
Never defeated by referees' partiality,
I would strive to leave behind a good name.

If I were a smart and skilled physician,
Caring for the needy, my guiding light,
Would boost my passion and dedication,
Though one candle cannot cancel the night.
.
If I were a field-marshal in the Army,
From Sankara I would draw inspiration:
In Burkina he waged a war on poverty,
Just using ideas as weapons in that nation.

If I were a political tycoon or magnate,
Nelson Mandela is the hero I'd emulate;
He treated, after 27 years of imprisonment,
His judges and jailers with no resentment.

My job is simply to cater for learners,
Nurturing with knowledge their inborn talent;
Grooming them to be balanced and potent,
Whatever course of life they are followers.

Developers of minds are great teachers;
Without pretense, by word and by action,
They train people to transform the nation,
Whether they're soldiers, farmers or leaders.