Make Hay while the Sun shines

There are a lot of poetry we learnt while growing up to motivate and keep us in check so that we will be a better and responsible person when we come of age. As a Yoruba from Nigeria, the one that stood out for me is a classic poetry titled "ISE L'OGUN ISE" which literally means that for a man to conquer or not to experience poverty, he must work hard.

No man on earth wish to be poor, poverty is a detestable experience. A life of affluent is always a young lad's fantasy. Wealth is not easily come by, life is not a bed of roses, man doesn't become rich overnight, it all boils down on being hardworking.

For poverty, a disgusting cunt, to be forestalled, the elders believe that it's earlier made known to the young because a stitch in time saves now. That's basically what brought up the poetry and virtually all Nigerian who are Yorubas know it. It's an interesting piece and very motivational.

**Ise l’ogun ise
(Work is the antidote/remedy/cure for poverty/indigency)
**Mura s’ise ore mi
(Be hardworking, my friend)
**Ise la fi n’deni giga
(Work/Labour is the major tool for elevation or for one to attain a higher height, he must work)
**Bi a ko ba reni feyin ti
(If we do not have anyone to lean/rely on)
**Bi ole la’nri
(We appear indolent/lazy)
**Bi a ko ba reni gbekele
(If we have no one to support us)
**A tera mo’se eni
(We just have to work harder)
**Iya re le lowo lowo
(You may have a rich/wealthy mother )
**Baba re le lesin lekan
(You may have a father with a stable full of horses)
**Bi o ba gbo’ju lewon
(If you rely/depend on them)
**O te tan ni mo so fun o
(I tell you, You are close to shame and disgrace)
**Ohun ti a ko ba ji’ya fun
(Whatever one does not earn through work hard)
**Se kii le pe lowo
(usually does not last)
**Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun
(Whatever gain one seriously works/labours for)
**Nii pe lowo eni
(Usually lasts with one)
**Apa lara
(Your arm is your most trusted ally)
**Egunpa niyekan
(The elbow is a sibling)
**B’aye ba n’fe o loni
(If you are loved by the world today)
**Bi o ba lowo lowo
(If you have money)
**Aye a ma fe o lola
(The world will still love you till tomorrow)
**Tabi ki o wa ni’po atata
(probably if you occupy a prestigious post)
**Aye a ma ye o si terinterin
(The world will honour you with smiles)
**Je k’o de’ni tin rago
(Wait till you are poor)
**Aye a ma yinmu si o
(The world will grimace/smirk at you)
**Eko si’nso ni d’oga
(Education also elevates one to higher positions)
**Mura ki o ko dara dara
(Make sure you acquire it well)
**Bi o si r’opo eniyan
(if you see a lot of people)
**Ti won f’eko s’erin rinrin
(Making mockery of education hillariously)
**Dakun ma f’ara we won
(Please do not emulate them or be their friends)
**Iya n’bo fun’omo ti ko gbon
(Suffering beckons for the foolish child)
**Ekun n’be fun’omo to nsa kiri
(Tears are lying in wait for the truant child)
**Ma f’owuro sere ore mi
(Do not toy with your early years)
**Mura si’se ojo’nlo
(Work hard; time waits for no one/make hay while the sun shines)

Reciting it again as, I write it gives me joy. I will forever acknowledge the effort of Professor J. F. Odunjo for putting up this lovely poem.