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EXCELLENT BOOKS IN IRISH
Gaineamh SéidteCló Iar-Chonnachta 2003
Read the poem 'Gaineamh Séidte' below.
While certain modern Irish-language poets find stylistic models in the lyrics of medieval Irish, Jackie Mac Donncha, native of Cill Chiaráin, Connemara, where traditional poetry has long been sung and composed, is a rare example of a contemporary Irish poet who is part of a continuum. He is, however, also a thoroughly
modern poet. His recent Gaineamh Séidte, a collection which spans many years, contains poems of observation, contemplation and, indeed, consternation. The reader is drawn to the poet, to the physical features of the poet's surroundings, and to the communality of his neighbours. Praising the progression within the poems, especially the breaking of lines, one reviewer has remarked that his use of language is so refined as to beg the question whether 'normal speech is free-verse'. Jackie Mac Donncha's book may be described as the missing link in the revolution from traditional rhyming poetry and song to modern free-verse composition in Irish.
Gaineamh Séidte
An lá ar cuireadh Cóilín Fhínse
níor chaoin aon duine.
Ar bhealach éicint
níor fheil sé
go mbeadh gol ná olagón
ar shochraid an tseanfhir aeraigh.
Cé go raibh seanbhean i measc an tslua
ar éalaigh braon síos le fána
a héadain iomairigh.
Mar mhoghlaeir cloiche
ag sciorradh le fána cnoic.
Oiread na fríde de smaoineamh
b'fhéidir
a rinne a bhealach aniar
trí bhóthar caol, casta,
na mblianta
na haoise.
Agus a chaith amach anois
mar dheoir ghoirt
ar fhéar glas
reilig Mhaínse.
Níorbh é an áit é le
'Up McDonagh'
a rá
nuair a leagadh síos é
le taobh a dheirfíre
i ngaineamh mion, mín, bán
na reilige.
Nach gcloistear torann cloch ann
ar chónra.
Nach dtiteann créafóg
ar adhmad.
Ach an rud nárbh fhéidir
tharla sé gur fháisc deora goirte
as croí na gcloch glas
sa timpeall.
Agus chrom an t-oileáinín beag bánaithe
a cheann
gur leag a bhaithis
ar an bhfarraige
le cumha
i ndiaidh a mhic.
Bhí an Flowerín* á luascadh féin
síos agus aníos.
B'ise an bhean chaointe.
Thug Máire Rua* sólás di
le leagan láimhe
agus dúirt
'Níl fágtha anois
ach tusa
agus mise.
Agus mairfidh muide
go brách.'
(*Dhá amhrán a chum an seanfhear.)
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