The Spark of Joy / Dealan an Aoibhnis

When I lit the sparkler
long ago on the hearth,
I ran the house with it screaming with delight.
They scolded me,
but grandfather said,
‘Let her be,
let her be,
there is no use talking.
She will always light
any flame she wishes.’

by Colette Ní Ghallchóir, trans,  Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill

 

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Dealán an Aoibhnis

Nuair a lás mé an dealán
Fadó ar an teallach,
Rith mé leis ar fud an tí
Go háthasach.
Bagraíodh orm,
Ach dúirt no sheanathair leo –
‘Lig di lig di,
Níl  gar a bheith léi,
Lasfaidh sisi i gconaí
Na dealáin is mian léi .’

le Colette Ní Ghallchóir.

 

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Divorce 19th-century Style.

‘That is not the way
things are done
in this townland,’
she said.

‘Well , if it isn’t,’ said he,
‘then go and do it yourselves.’
And he had crossed Gleann Tornáin
before nightfall.

‘How come you never told me,’ said I
to my father, ‘that they had been separated for a while?’
‘You don’t broadcast
all news,’ he said …
‘Anyway the end of the matter
is that he died here at home.’

le Colette Ní Ghallchóir, trans. by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.

 

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Colscaradh na Naoú hAoise Déag.

‘Chan sin an dóigh
A bhfuil rudaí déanta
Ar an bhaile seo,’
A duirt sí.

‘Munab é,’ arsa seisean
‘Déanaigí féin é.’
Agus thrasnaigh sé
Gleann Tornáin
Roimh thitim na hóiche.

‘Char inis tú dom,’ arsa mise
Le m’athair, ‘go raibh siad scarta tamall.’
‘Ní churieann tú an nuacht
Uilig sna páipéir,’ ar seisean…
‘Cibe scéal de,
Fuair sé bás sa bhaile.’

 

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