These two poems, Corcracht and Iniata, by Nuala Ní Chonchúir are translated by the poet.
Corcracht
i gcuimhne Nessa
Céard tá ann nuair
nach bhfuil tú ann ach:
scáthaghaidh na bhfoirgneamh
faoi spéir fhuar na maidine,
camsholas ar cheann slinne
ag clúdach easnacha an tí,
d’fhéitheacha teann faoi
chraiceann do lámh,
an chraobh liathchorcra
ag tarraingt mí-ádh sa teach isteach,
tobar dúigh as a dtagann
línte doimhne, dothuigthe,
coinneal na hAidbhinte
ag comhaireamh i dtreo na Nollag.
Céard tá ann ach
dath ár gcaointe duitse?
Purpling
Translated by Nuala Ní Chonchúir
What is there
now that you’re gone,
but:
shadow-fronted buildings
under a cold morning sky,
the memory of veins
tightening under your skin,
twilight on grey-wet slates
covering the roof-ribs,
lilac branches that bring
bad luck through the door,
an ink-well, dark with
unintelligible lines,
the Advent candle
counting down to Christmas.
What is there,
but the colour of our mourning
for you?
Iniata
Iniata leis
an gcraiceann seo tá
meabhair
atá meadhránach
le himní
anam atá
chomh neamhshaolta,
dothuigthe le ceo
croí atá
féinbhriste,
brúite mar úll.
Má tá sé ar intinn agat
é a oscailt
bí ullamh:
doirtfear fuil.
Enclosed
trans, by Nuala Ni Chonchúir
Within this skin
please find enclosed:
a mind
over-giddy
with endless worry
a soul
wispish as mist
alien to its owner
a heart
self-broken and
bruised like fruit.
If you intend
to open it
be prepared:
it will bleed.
from Tattoo (Tatú ), le Nuala Ní Chonchúir. Publ.Arlen House 2007.
With thanks to Nuala Ní Chonchúir for the poems and translations from Tatú. Nuala’s new novel, You is available now. I have added a biographical link, so that readers may look up her books and enjoy her writing. The image which accompanies this post is courtesy of Kristina Mc Elroy, and is from the estate of her Late father, Artist Paddy Mc Elroy. I am adding some links here , to Nuala’s site, to my Cúirt 2010 visit, and to You (Via Amazon).
Chris Murray 