Association of Art & Science Rome, ITALY

POETRY

Authors: Sheikh Akilimali's (Tanzanian poet) poem in Swahili with translation.
  • Son of Adam remember

Son of Adam remember

Mwanadamu Kumbuka
Son of Adam remember
 

Kufa ni jambo muhimu, kupo kunatusubiri,
Kufa kumetulazimu, kuwa ndani ya kaburi,
Tuvipendavyo vitamu, haviziwii safari,
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
Death is an important matter, in that we resign,
To die is a must for us - to be in the grave,
Being enamoured by sweetnesses, makes the journey difficult,
Human remember, one day you will die.

Uhai kwa mwanadamu, siku zote tufikiri,
Kuishi jambo adimu, kwa maisha ya dahari,
Kufa jambo la lazima, hakuna chakustiri,
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
Life for humans, is every day worry
Finish the important matter, at the end of time,
Death is a matter of must, there is no hiding,
Son of Adam remember, one day you will die.

Tupate kila makamu, kila hati ya mfahari,
Si ngao ya kujikimu, bali ni kujiadhiri,
Kufa ni jambo muhimu, mtu hanako hiyari,
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
If we get every rank, every right to splendeur,
Provisions are no shield, to the contrary all is defenseless,
Death is an important matter, man has no choice,
Human remember, one day you will die.

Kifo kitapo asimu, hakuna alifajiri,
Wafa pasipo salam, na kuyaacha mazuri;
Hutamuaga binadamu, wala humpi habari;
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
Death is firm, there is no til dawn,
To be proper is no safety, nor to give up goodness,
Man, you will spill all, in spite of all knowlwdge,
Human remember, one day you will die.

Jepesi huwa ni gumu, na neno hulikariri,
Kinywa jufungwa hatamu, usiweze kuashiri,
Hapo ndipo mwanadamu, mwishowe wa machachari,
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
To hurry is difficult, and words are not repeated,
The mouth is bridled, you cannot signal,
Here is the human, at the end of his restlessness,
Human remember, one day you will die.

Nguvu ulijikirimu, na cheo cha uayari,
Kikomo hapo hutimu, hubaki watahayari;
Na uendako kuzimu, wangozewa kwa jeuri;
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
Strength makes you generous - and the rank of a ruler,
End here is complete, rest will be modest,
Then go your way to burial, to be added to the violence,
Son of Adam remember, one day you will die.

Ni misada maalumu, walo hai wadhidiri;
Na wapige baragumu, na kila hali urari,
Pepo hawakukirumu, kama hukutenda heri;
Mwanadamu kumbuka, siku moja utakufa.
It is good advise to those without a window-view,
And those who sound the war-horne - with every satisfaction,
The air is not generous to them and it does not give pleasure,
Son of Adam remember, one day you will die.

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