The Best Yoruba Poem: Ise logun ise (Work is Antidote to Poverty) Yoruba Version

Ise Logun ise

 

This is a poem that encourages work, no matter what people say about it these days. Like I said in this piece a while back, talent is never enough if you’re not willing to apply yourself to work. I may be a talented writer but I will not write two articles a day without getting paid if I do not apply myself to it. The emphasis these days is on ‘smart work’ not ‘hard work’ which for me is merely a semantic difference – work is work – smart or hard, just work it out. Apply yourself to work therefore this week and even the most difficult things in life will become easier.

 

Ise Logun ise [Work is the antidote for poverty]
... Mura si se re, ore mi [Work hard and work smart, my friend]
Ise la fi ndeni giga [Hard and smart work brings success]
Bi a ko ba reni fehin ti [When there is no one to rely on]
Bi ole la ri [Its like we are lazy]
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele, [When there is no one to trust]
A te ra mo se ni. [We focus more on our work]
Iya re le lowo lowoh [Your mother might be rich]
Baba re le lesin lekan [Your father might own a thousand and one horses]
Ti o ba gbojule won [If you rely on them]
O te tan ni mo so fun o [In truth, you might be on sinking ground]

Apa lara igupa ni ye kan [families are like the arm, while extended family are like the elbow]
B'aiye ba fe o loni [If you are loved by the world today]
Ti o ba lowo lowo, won a tun fe o lola [If you are still rich, they will love you tomorrow as well]
Abi ko wa nipo atata [If you have an esteemed position]
Aiye a ye o si terin terin [You will be honored with "fake"laughter]
Je ki o deni ti ra ngo [If you unfortunately loose your money or position]
Ko ri bi won ti nyin mu si o [They'll turn their back on you]

Iya mbe fomo ti ko gbon [There is suffering for the foolish child]
Ekun mbe fomo ti nsare kiri [and there is sorrow for the child that have no plan or vision]
Mafowuro sere ore mi [Don't waste your formative years, my friend]
Mura sise ojo nlo. [work hard and plan well now, because time waits for no one]

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WORK IS THE ANTIDOTE TO POVERTY

Work is the antidote to poverty,
Apply yourself to work, my friend,
By working one attains greatness;
If one has no one to rely on,
That’s like being a loafer;
If one has no one to depend on,
One must apply himself to his occupation.
Your mother may have much wealth,
And your father own more than one horse,
If you pin your hopes on them,
Disappointed you will be, I tell you!
You see – what one has not personally suffered for,
Does not last long at all;
But that which we have worked earnestly for,
Lasts very long in one’s hands-
Your arm is a relative, your elbow is your sibling.
The world applauds you today,
If you have much wealth,
The world will love you tomorrow.
Or say you’re in a position of influence,
The world with honour you with smiles,
But become poor and needy,
And see how the world mocks you.
When you see a multitude,
Make mockery of learning,
Please do not emulate them.
Anguish awaits the senseless child,
Tears await the child running here and there,
Play not with the morning, my friend,
Apply yourself to work – the day is going by.

Pluck the morning lily – cool, beautiful and bright,
Wait not till tomorrow – time passes quickly by.