A beautiful Yoruba Poem by late Chief J.F Ọdunjọ

Isẹ́ ni òògun ìsẹ́

 

Isẹ́ ni ogun isẹ́

Mura si isẹ́ ọre mi

Isẹ ni afi ndi eni giga

Bi a ko ba ri ẹni fẹhinti

Bi ọlẹ la a ri

Bi a ko rẹni gbẹkẹle

A tẹra mọ isẹ ẹni

Iya rẹ le lowo lọwọ

Baba rẹ si le lẹshin lee kan

Bi o ba gboju le wọn

O tẹ tan ni mo so fun ọ

Ohun ti a ko ba jiya fun

Kii pe lọwo ẹni

Ohun ti a ba fara sisẹ fun

Ni npẹ lọwọ ẹni

Apa l’ara, Igunpa niyekan

Bi aiye nfẹ ọ loni

Ti o ba lowo lọwọ

Ni wọn a ma fẹ o lọla

Tabi ti o bawa ni ipo atata

Aiye a ma yẹ ọ si tẹrin-tẹrin

Jẹ ki o di eni raago

Ki o ri bi aiye ti nyinmu si ọ

Ẹkọ si tun n so ẹni di ọga

Mura ki o kọ dara-dara

Bi o si ri ọpọ eniyan

Ti wọn n fi ẹko se ẹrin rin

Dakun ma se fi ara we wọn

Iya nbọ fọmọ ti ko gbọn

Ẹkun mbẹ fọmọ ti nsa kiri

Ma fowurọ sere ọrẹ mi

Mura si isẹ ọjọ nlọ.

 

Description:

The poem simply translated, work is the antidote/medicine for poverty. It encourages education and diligent work that is able to take one to a greater height in life. Relying on people sometimes may end in doom and frustration while doing your work with passion and consistently will attract you to the right people and in turn elevates you. Maximize your potential, work now for time waits for no one.

 

About the Author:

Late Chief Joseph Folahan Odunjo was a Nigerian writer, educator and best known for his works in Yoruba children’s literature.

His printed work in 1958 was one of the early written works of the language. He wrote several novels, plays, poems and texts in the Yoruba language. One of his popularly written books “Alawiye” became the textbook used to educate and teach Yoruba language in Nigeria educational system till today and all over the world. His published works later became a source of inspiration for future writers with strong motivation.

He wrote many educative, empowering and inspirational poem such as ISẸ́ NI ÒGÙN ÌSẸ́ (Work is the antidote for poverty)Toju iwa re, ore mi ( Enhance your character, my friend) among others.