My Time Is Not Their Time

Aunty, I greet you, how body today?
Before I sit down, “When is your day?”
Make I taste rice, make I drink water,
My whole life no be wedding matter!

Family group chat, another bell,
“Your younger cousin don marry as well.”
I send congratulations, joy from my heart,
But comparison wan tear me apart.
Mummy, I hear you, I know say you care,
Pray with me, no compare me there.
Ask of my work, ask how I dey,
I get more than one good thing to say.

My time is not their time,
Your wedding bell no be deadline.
I go dance when your own bell rings,
Still thank God for my own good things.
Ẹ má fi mí wé ẹlòmíràn,
No use their clock to judge my own.
I want marriage, but hear me clear:
My life no dey waiting room here.

Bridesmaid again, new colour to sew,
“Na only you remain”—somebody throw.
Groomsman again, dem call me chairman,
“When you go finally become family man?”
I smile for picture, but the comment sting,
As if my worth dey inside a ring.
I fit love marriage, still love today,
No need shame to help me find my way.

My time is not their time,
Your wedding bell no be deadline.
I go dance when your own bell rings,
Still thank God for my own good things.
Ẹ má fi mí wé ẹlòmíràn,
No use their clock to judge my own.
I want marriage, but hear me clear:
My life no dey waiting room here.

Midnight scrolling, proposal for screen,
Matching outfits, everything clean.
Their joy is real, I wish them well,
Their wedding no mean say my own life fail.
I close the app, call somebody I know,
Real conversation, somewhere to go.
No turn another person's celebration
To another private examination.

Paul gave singles room to serve the Lord,
I no need wedding before I live His Word.
Join that training, finish that course,
Serve with my gifts, put my hands to work.
I fit meet people, I fit say hello,
Ask honest questions, take time to know.
Trusting God no mean hide indoors,
Or call every knock my appointed door.

Some nights I still wish somebody dey,
Lord, hear the things I struggle to say.
Faith no mean I must fake my smile,
Send good friends to walk this mile.
I won't call every delay a curse,
Or choose in panic and make things worse.
Teach me wisdom, order my feet,
My story no be race to complete.

My time is not their time,
Your wedding bell no be deadline.
I go dance when your own bell rings,
Still thank God for my own good things.
Ẹ má fi mí wé ẹlòmíràn,
No use their clock to judge my own.
I want marriage, but hear me clear:
My life no dey waiting room here.

Aunty, I love you, Mummy, I hear,
But make we talk with love, not fear.
When you ask how life dey go,
I get more than wedding news to show.