I Leave the Message Unsent

Our family group wake me for midnight
Forty messages for my phone
My brother drop one voice note
Call my name, begin dey talk
E say I no dey send anybody
Since small money enter hand
Meanwhile, na me pay Mama’s treatment
But I never tell the clan
I sit up beside my pillow
Open screenshot, find receipt
Type the amount, attach the transfer
Make everybody know who be who

My thumb dey wait upon the arrow
One touch, everybody go see
Then I read wetin I don write
See the wound I wan give

I fit leave this message unsent
I fit put this phone down
Sin no be my master again
I belong to Jesus now
Anger fit knock for my door
E no mean say I must open
Your Spirit dey help me choose
I fit leave this message unsent

Before, na so my morning dey start
Somebody must collect reply
I go use one sentence finish person
Then defend am till midnight
But I don die with Christ to that master
I no owe that old life work
These same fingers fit type forgiveness
This same mouth fit tell the truth
I delete the line about his marriage
That one no concern the case
Remove Mama’s private medical papers
Her pain no be evidence

I fit leave this message unsent
I fit put this phone down
Sin no be my master again
I belong to Jesus now
Anger fit knock for my door
E no mean say I must open
Your Spirit dey help me choose
I fit leave this message unsent

Morning reach, I call my brother
First two calls, e no pick
Third time, e answer with strong voice
I nearly change my mind
“I hear wetin you talk for that group
Some of those things no correct
But I no call to disgrace you
Make we talk this matter well”
E say, “I feel say you forget us”
I say, “You for tell me so”
We no settle everything that morning
But we agree where to start

Grace dey teach me for this moment
With my two feet for the floor
I fit yield my hands to Jesus
I no need serve sin anymore
Lord, I still need Your correction
Teach me when to speak or wait
Make I stand upon the truth
Without using truth to wound

I leave that message unsent
I put that phone down
Sin no be my master again
I belong to Jesus now
I fit speak without revenge
I fit hear before I answer
Your Spirit dey help me choose
I no dey face this thing alone

For evening, our group still noisy
Somebody post wedding date
I type, “Congratulations, sister”
Then I press send, go wash plate