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.

Òré ìbànújẹ tí kò dáwọ́ dúró láti bọ̀ wá.

Returning like quartan fever, or heavier still.

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

When it comes, I send it forth, then it

Nígbà tí ó bá dé, mo rán án lọ, 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 exposed,

Tí o bá rí mi bí ọmọ aginjù tí a fi hàn gbangba,

On tenderness, barefoot, without sandals.

Lórí ìrònú, ní ẹsẹ̀ pẹlẹ́, láì ní bàtà.

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

Nítorí èmi ni olórí sùúrù, mo wọ aṣọ rẹ̀.