YOUNG AND OLD

YOUNG AND OLD Wisdom is the only entity that rules this sphere. 'Omode gbon, agba gbon lafi dale ife.' The translation cascades from life's vault: On the wisdom of both youths & adults, The four-walls of ile-ife are founded. To adults only, wisdom is not compounded, It is endowed to both the young and old. Only the witty can decipher this virtue foretold. That is why whatever a child has to say Can be told to the elders in the world today. You are not a minority when it comes to wisdom. Both a King & his Prince rules their kingdom. Building the old waste from its ruins to stardom, The city, ile-ife was made from this wisdom, That of both the vibrant youth & the aged old. The type that makes us stare at life looking bold. A child who knows how to wash his hand Will eat with the elders at the table-stand. A child who intelligently moves in silence When playing & studying the endgame of chess, Will be ready when it's time to checkmate. Pawns are the soul of chess, or the bait. Life is a chess, wisdom is the tool, let's play. In their wits & wisdom, the sage elders say: 'The troublesome child has his day of use. Million dollar reason why because of troubles, A child is certainly not to be fed to beasts." But follies feast on fools & faunts a fist, A wise step is safer than tracing the trail of a trap. The grey always say, 'to make the white pap, Even the deserted dirty dark pot has use, Whether or not it has countlessly faced abuse. The silence of the old makes wrong choice drift But the foolish wise words of a child uplifts.³° Wisdom is for both the young and old, It built societal foundations which we behold. Vick Manuel Poetry {VMP} FORM: Rhymes Copyright ©? December 13th, 2023