Poem
Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
Citybound
Returning tonightI can taste the city’s sweat
around me.
I like its sweetness.
The Present Tense bounces
recklessly off walls
in the heat of the afternoon.
I admit toxic fumes
intoxicate me.
Although you don’t see
the setting sun here
in the vast expanse of sky
night plunges
between tall buildings
without warning.
but neon lights light up
the foreign corners of my heart.
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
on a moonlit ledge
my ear tuned to traffic’s song.
© Translation: 2010, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
Publisher: First published on PIW, , 2010
Publisher: First published on PIW, , 2010
‘Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa’ is the title of a poem by the late Máirtín Ó Direáin in which he describes the respite he feels upon returning to his island home of Inis Mór.
Filleadh ar an gCathair
Filleadh ar an gCathair
Anocht ag filleadh domblaisim allas na cathrach faram.
Deas liom a taiseacht.
Preabann an Aimsir Láithreach
gan aire ó gach balla
i mbrothall an tráthnóna.
Admhaím go músclaíonn
gás sceite
sceitimíní ionam.
Is fíor nach gcítear
luí na gréine
i bhfairsing’ spéire:
cacann an oíche
idir fhoirgnimh arda
gan rabhadh;
ach lasann soilse neon
cúinní coimhthíocha mo chroí.
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
ar mo ghrianán gealaí,
mo chluas le hamhrán tráchta.
© 2008, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
From: Péacadh
Publisher: Coiscéim, Dublin
From: Péacadh
Publisher: Coiscéim, Dublin
Poems
Poems of Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
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Citybound
Returning tonightI can taste the city’s sweat
around me.
I like its sweetness.
The Present Tense bounces
recklessly off walls
in the heat of the afternoon.
I admit toxic fumes
intoxicate me.
Although you don’t see
the setting sun here
in the vast expanse of sky
night plunges
between tall buildings
without warning.
but neon lights light up
the foreign corners of my heart.
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
on a moonlit ledge
my ear tuned to traffic’s song.
© 2010, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
From: Péacadh
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW, Dublin
From: Péacadh
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW, Dublin
‘Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa’ is the title of a poem by the late Máirtín Ó Direáin in which he describes the respite he feels upon returning to his island home of Inis Mór.
Citybound
Returning tonightI can taste the city’s sweat
around me.
I like its sweetness.
The Present Tense bounces
recklessly off walls
in the heat of the afternoon.
I admit toxic fumes
intoxicate me.
Although you don’t see
the setting sun here
in the vast expanse of sky
night plunges
between tall buildings
without warning.
but neon lights light up
the foreign corners of my heart.
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
on a moonlit ledge
my ear tuned to traffic’s song.
© 2010, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW,
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW,
‘Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa’ is the title of a poem by the late Máirtín Ó Direáin in which he describes the respite he feels upon returning to his island home of Inis Mór.
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