My Aunty Does Not Tell Me to Marry

My aunty does not tell me to marry.
She only reminds me that I am not a man
who is free to gamble with time.
I am a woman.
My sun sets faster, my flower wilts sooner.
I thank her for her wise words.
I will get ready to marry.

My aunty does not tell me to marry.
She only entrusts me with the family heirloom
ceremonial gold and iyun
wrapped in a sacred white cloth
enclosed in a silver pot.
She counts them into my hands, one by one.
I thank her and return her precious pot,
but I’ll get ready to marry.

I find a childhood picture of me
in Aunty’s album, I’m in a white satin gown
my face is powdered white,
my ears and neck twinkle with gold.
I’ve been ready to be married since I was five
but first, I must find whom to marry