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Poem of the Week: Gó gan Ghá by Aifric Mac Aodha

Unnecessary Lie, translated by David Wheatley

Aifric Mac Aodha. Grianghraf: Tony Dillon
Aifric Mac Aodha. Grianghraf: Tony Dillon

Bláth na bladhma,
a fhir na feidhme
ceart ár nádúir:
masla táille

sop na gcairde,
is súil
in airde
coiscthe,

ach, a chara,
os buí an t-eadra,
ná séan — ba bhréag!
an fiach, an deargadh.

Unnecessary Lie
Translated by David Wheatley

O man of action,
a red flower-flash
is what our natures demand:
a poor fee

friendship’s stalk
and hope
forbidden
but, friend,

since it’s late in the day
don’t deny —
it would be a lie!
the hunt, the blush.

Today’s poem is from Aifric Mac Aodha’s new collection, Old Friends (Gallery Press)