Grateful,
For I've paid my dues.
Grateful,
My loyalty to the earth emptied; disused.
I'm free from this accursed existence
Eternal robes of glory,
My new clothing consistent.
My joy inexplicable, sadness nonexistent,
The struggles of "life",
In a horizon distant.

A slave to the sickness,
A servant to the sin,
The curse of the land made manifest,
In the dust woven apparel I dwelled in,
But now I'm free.
Resurrection from the dead
Is still the decree.
For I was a living dead,
But now, I'm free to really live.

One man made from dust
Transfigured into pure glory,
The stench of the earth,
Is now a forgotten story.
My kinsmen weep for me,
My own tears drier than the desert,
For now all pain and suffering,
I've left in the trash, repugnant.

I'm free, death was supposed to be a bad thing.
But I find myself overjoyed at his coming,
For death has set me free,
The loss of breath has granted me bliss,
Death had always been intertwined in me,
But today,
I truly take off that engagement ring.

A man of dust I have clearly been,
But now I shine with the glory of divinity.
O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?

Welcome death, you kept me waiting.
PS: The question was rhetorical;

You really have lost your sting.

Iyawo Potiphar, I'm trying to live my life as calmly as possible. Please let me be.

It's not my fault that your husband granted me such authority. I know men that resist become more irresistible, ...and of all the men that you tempt, it's only for me you refuse to desist. Please, I don't want any of the loving you offer or the seduction that you cough out. Iyawo Potiphar, I am a man of honor, not a toy to quench your boredom. Madam, fi mi le. I'm holding on to God. Let me be.

If I grant you your request, you have your fifteen minutes of pleasure,which my flesh would enjoy, what would be left of my treasure? My dreams, my hopes, my aspirations, my blessings in a strange nation, of all the promises to which I cling, which will I see? For my success is staked on my Lord and Master. Now you want me to sin against the one person that has caused me to prosper. Never! Iyawo Potiphar, gather your matter, comot for my domot before you cause my life to shatter. I am a man of integrity. I'm afraid I'll lose everything. Iyawo Potiphar...let me be.

My mind begins to reason and the devil in me comes out like mango in its due season. He tells me it's just for once. I say to me, I would never get this chance again, for a beautiful woman to lay herself at me for the taking. You say, it's now or never; of course God's mercies endure forever, God would forever accept me After all, I sin all the time. I have thought of doing this once in a while. I'm just a man with blood flowing through my veins. There would be grace to wash away the stains. Why should this be any different? Why you dey shame?

Then I see you and your eyes speak to me. You say you're harmless; you just wanna be around me. You don't know why you're drawn to me more than most, or why my words soothe your soul. You want me close, thirsty for another dose; being under the same roof is not enough, now we must wear the same clothes! Every guy wants you near, you taunt them like an African trap to a deer...they want you so bad, its so very clear. Me? Babe, I don't freaking care.

Because when we wake up we'll be lost. I'll be fallen, from the zenith to the gutters. The glory would leave, and you'll be on to the next guy. I don't want. You have your man, let him grant you the pleasures you desire. Leave me in my singleness; call me stubborn, too serious, too legalistic...whatever you call me, I don't care. If you say I'm not a gentleman, I don't compliment your beauty, I don't know how to treat a lady, no problem. I'm okay. Just stay away from me. Iyawo Potiphar, let me be.

For you would come many more times, desiring the same stuff. I refuse to sell my life in your inner chambers. I refuse to leave my God for momentary pleasures of fleshly gains...it's hard but you know I'm speaking the truth. No smiling, no gisting, no play play. I have to stay on track. I have to catch my destiny.

Iyawo Potiphar, I am a child of God. Please, let me be.

TRANSLATIONS:

Iyawo- Wife
Fi me le- Leave me alone
Gather your matter, comot for my domot- Take your baggage off my doorstep
Why you dey shame?- Why are you ashamed?
Play play-  Playful gestures