An Ghlao [The Call]
7 05 2007Turas de Bhanlaoch: Slí an Trodaí Bhandé
[Heroine's Journey: The Path of the Goddess Warrior]
(a) An Ghlao [The Call]
Aréir
tháinig Sí ar ais,
na focail Uaithi
ag foluain san aer.
Agus bhí Sí
ag glaoch m’ainm
go ciuin, go caoin,
go seasmhach
mar shoith ag cnaíomh
ar chnámh nach
scaoilfeadh sí leí.
Aréir
chuaigh an Mháthair Dorcha
isteach ionam
agus thóg Sí seilbh
ar m’anam.
———————————————-
Last night
She came back,
Her words
floating in the air.
And She was
crying out my name,
softly, gently,
insistingly,
like a bitch gnawing
the bone she won’t
give up.
Last night
the Dark Mother
entered me
and took possession
of my soul.
2 aspects here that I want to point out to you: first of all I hope noone is disturbed by the use of the female name for a dog. In Irish this is a specific word and has no other connotations that I am aware of. Under no circumstances does it refer to the Feminine Divine!!
Secondly I would have preferred to write this out by placing the translation side by side to the original but was simply unable to do so. The translation does follow in accordance with the lines however. Oh yes and sorry Lori, I tried to work out a pronounciation but it simply took too long! If I could only post a verbal rendition…Gaeilge really needs to be heard!! It is such a lovely soft language.
That’s okay, Edith. I’d butcher the language even if I did have a phonetically-spelled pronunciation guide. Now if someone will figure out how to record and upload sound files, Edith can recite it directly for us!
That would be cool! I love the poem, Edith, whichever language it is in.
Edith, this work is something else again. Hope we get a chance to hear it. Pretty sure you can make your own podcast and I know Fran has done it. Check with her.
Utterly marvellous Edith. I am overjoyed that this catalogue provides you with an outlet and a way to work on your Gaelic and poetry all at the same time. I am so impressed with what you are doing here and indeed, many books have translations underneath, or on an adjoining page. Bravo! Many hands clapping.
Heather is right: I would love to hear this in both languages. I have a mac and use garage band to make podcasts–don’t know which technology one would use with other computers but am sure that can be done. http://web.mac.com/farnett1/iWeb/Fran%27s%2006%20podcasts/Podcast/Podcast.html
I love the short, snappy verses of this piece. The words are strong and compelling and I would love to know what happens next.
well done Edith for having the courage to start writing poetry in Irish while I know you are still mastering (or should I say, in your case, mistress-ing) that language
This poem is so beautiful. I love the imagery and the language.