Inu Rere by Niyi Osundare is a poem directed towards the significance of the pure heart. The poet explains the fate of good-hearted people in a rather parabolic manner.
Read the poem below and see how much of the message you can decode.
Inu Rere By Niyi Osundare
When your heart is clean
And your mind is good
You will walk through fire
But you will not be burnt
You will run the race
You will not be tired
You will see a star
On the darkest nights
Your yam will be white and crisp
Your bread, soft and warm
Your song will be kind
The world will like to sing
**Inu Rere means clean mind, kind heart, or good conscience in the Yoruba language
Summary Of The Poem Inu Rere By Niyi Osundare
Note: This summary was provided by Ayo Banjo as seen in the book “Early Birds”.
The title of this poem is in Yoruba, and the meaning is given in the poet’s footnote. The poem celebrates the virtue of being kind and considerate. A kind and considerate person, the poet says, is at peace with himself and with the whole world; he is also admired by other people.
Notice the figures of speech used to make the poem memorable.
A kind and considerate man will “see a star on the darkest nights”. His “song will be white and crisp”; and his bread “soft and warm”. His “song will be the kind the world will like to sing”.
The poem is designed to encourage you to be kind and considerate. Think carefully about what the poem says.
1. What does Inu Rere mean?
Inu Rere means “pure heart” or “good conscience” in Yoruba. It depicts a person with good intentions towards others.
2. Who wrote the poem Inu Rere?
The poem “Inu Rere” was written by Nigerian legendary poet, Niyi Osundare. It is one of the poems listed in his popular poem book “Early Birds“.
