Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - ISE NI OOGUN ISE - A translation of one of the most beautiful poems ever written

Thank you very much Dr. Fakinlede for bringing back memories of my childhood with this poem by JF. Odunjo which represents my first induction to poetry as it hung on the classroom wall frames to be recited by the class in unison fresh from the morning assembly.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------

From: "Kayode J. Fakinlede" <jfakinlede@gmail.com>

Date: 08/12/2016 19:37 (GMT+00:00)

To: USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>

Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - ISE NI OOGUN ISE - A translation of one of the most beautiful poems ever written

IṢẸ L’OOGUN IṢẸ/

WORK IS THE UNIVERSAL PANACEA FOR POVERTY

 

This is a translation of one of the most beautiful poems ever written.

 

Iṣẹ ni oogun iṣẹ

Mura si’ṣẹ ọrẹ  mi

Iṣẹ ni a fi ndi ẹni giga

Bi a ko ba r’ẹni fẹhinti

Bi ọlẹ l’a a ri

Bi a ko ba r’ẹni gbekẹle

A tẹra mọ’ṣẹ ẹni

Iya rẹ le lowo l’ọwọ

Baba rẹ si le l’eṣin l’eekan

Bi o ba gboju le wọn

O tẹ tan ni mo sọ fun ọ

Oun ti a ko ba jiya fun

Ṣe ki i lee t’ọjọ

Oun ti a ba f’ara ṣiṣẹ fun

Ohun ni i pẹ l’ọwọ ẹni

Apa l’ara

Igunpa n’iyekan

Bi aiye ba nfẹ ọ l’oni

Ti o ba lowo l’ọwọ

Wọn a maa fẹ ọ l’ọla

Jeki o wa n’ipo atata

Aiya a ma yẹ ọ si tẹrin-tẹrin

Jeki o d’ẹni nrago

Ki o ri bi aiye ti nyimu si ọ

Ẹkọ si tun ns’ẹni d’ọga

Mura ki o kọ ọ daradara

Iya nbọ f’ọmọ ti ko gbọn

Ẹkun nbe f’ọmọ ti nsa kiri

Ma f’owurọ ṣere ọrẹ  mi

Mura s’iṣẹ ọjọ nlọ

-J. F. Odunjo

 

Work is the universal panacea for poverty

Prepare to work hard my friend

It’s only hard work that makes one prosper

If one does not have a person as a pillar of support

One often looks like a lazy person

If one does not have a person to rely on

One must put all efforts in one’s business

Your mother may have money in abundance

And your father may have horses in the stable

If you should rely on them

You are already living in a fool’s paradise

Whatever one does not work hard to attain

Does not stay long with one

Whatever we work hard for

That is really what we treasure

One main friends are our arms

And our elbows are our brothers and sisters

Should the whole world profess their love for you today

If you a rich person,

They will continue to love you tomorrow

If you are in a high position

The world will honor you with their smile

If, however, you fall on bad times

You’ll see them begin to snicker behind your back

Education can also be responsible for advancement

Be prepared to get educated

The child who refuses to learn will later suffer

There will be weeping for a child who plays his life away

Do not waste time during your early years

Be prepared to work hard, as time waits for no one  

--
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