لامية الشنفرى

His wound was the first burden upon him.

Ìfarapa rẹ̀ ni ìkàkọ́ tí ó kọ́kọ́ gbé.

She sleeps when he sleeps, her eyes awake.

Ó sùn nígbà tí ó bá sùn, ojú rẹ̀ sì jí.

Swiftly she penetrates into his distress.

Ní kíákíá, ó wọ inú ìbànújẹ rẹ̀.

A companion of worries that never cease to visit him.

Òrẹ́ ìbànújẹ tí kò dáwọ́ dúró láti bẹ̀ ẹ́ wo.

Returning like quartan fever, or heavier still.

Wíwo padà bíi àrùn ìbà ẹ̀mẹ́rin lọ́dún, tàbí tó burú jù lọ.

When it comes, I send it forth, then it...

Nígbà tí ó bá dé, mo dá padà, lẹ́yìn náà ó...

Returns, approaching from below and above.

Padà wá, ń bọ láti isalẹ àti láti òkè.

And if you see me like the son of the desert ( Antelope) exposed,

Tí o bá rí mi bí ọmọ aginjù (Egbin) tí a fi hàn gbangba (nínú odun),

On tenderness, barefoot, without sandals.

Pẹlú ara fẹ̀lẹ́, ní ẹsẹ̀ lásán, láì wọ́ bàtà.

For I am the master of patience, I wear its garment.

Nítorí èmi ni olórí sùúrù, mo wọ aṣọ rẹ̀.