Horae
They dive like gannets into subcutaneous chambers. Sublingual,
they are drawn quickly into blood. With swift markings they
scar waves, abrade rock. But waves churn and heal over;
particulae become the womb of seeds. The mackerel’s bright
oils become the albumen of a gannet’s egg. Every wound here
vanishes.
Na Séasúir
Ar nós gainéad tumann siad faoin gcraiceann. Faoin teanga,
súitear iad isteach sa bhfuil. Fágann siad lorganna sa muir lena
sáite spleodracha is scríobann siad carraig is cloch. Ach oibríonn
na tonnta agus cneasaíonn siad; fásann síolta ó cháithníní na
gcnoc. Déantar gealacán ubh ghainéid d’ola gheal na ronnach.Tá
gach goin ag imeacht as radharc.
Poll na Saileach
Your shattered flesh is a matrix for seeds, a haven for radicles.
You are profuse with unguents, anthers, saps. Ruithéal, rabhán,
crobh dearg, aiteal, saileach. Incense rises from your wounds
and all of your vegetal colours are luminous.
Poll na Saileach
Do cholainn scriosta ina cheapach síolta, ina thearmann do
fréamhacha bunaidh. Tá tú fial le do chuid ungthaí, do
bhláthanna is súnna. Ruithéal, rabhán, crobh dearg, aiteal,
saileach. Tá do dhathanna fhásúla ag lonrú, éiríonn an túis ó do
ghonta.
Notes:
Horae - Greek goddesses of the seasons
Poll na Saileach - An Irish place name found in the Burren, County Clare, western Ireland, which can be translated as ‘Place of the Willows’ or ‘Hole of the Willows’, but I wanted to maintain the Irish name as the title.
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Autumn Richardson’s poetry and translations have appeared in literary journals, pamphlets,
anthologies and exhibitions worldwide. She co-directs Corbel Stone Press, one of the UK's foremost literary presses dedicated to nature, ethnology and landscape. Her latest collection Ajar To The Night was published by Scarlet Imprint in May 2020.
Eoin Mac Lochlainn is an award-winning artist and native Irish speaker based in Dublin. He won The Golden Fleece Award in 2008 and the ESB Keating McLaughlin Medal in 2010. He has had several solo exhibitions in Ireland and participated in various selected exhibitions including the RHA, RUA, Iontas, Éigse and Oireachtas.