The language we speak: proverbs

llé oba tójó, ewà ló bùsi
There’s always a positive side

this is a kaaro ojiri nut that
I find it hard to chew or swallow
an abused soul may never get
a shot at recovery or stability
what’s an arm without a shoulder,
a cap that never fits the head,
an eye that hasn’t shed a tear?
of what use is returning to a market
where one’s mum was called a witch?
ilé oba tójó, o ye ki ara ilu ki e s’ara
if ifa has nothing to say, the priest dies
whenever a palace burns, let’s ask
the olori that meets with Otun at night
let’s ask aremo who can’t wait to climb
let’s say it’s natural but still call Sango.

Tọ̀mídé Abdul

Proverb:
llé oba tójó, ewà ló bùsi – The king’s palace that got burnt added beauty to it

Footnote:
Kaaro ojiri – used to refer to a Yoruba person
ilé oba tójó, o ye ki ara ilu ki e s’ara – The burnt palace should worry the people of the town