Huath (hawthorn)

seabhag ’s a spuirean cho biorach ri
ribeachan cruaidh do chairt, ’s a sùil
amach ameasg nan nàmh,
a cuachan iseanach na d’ phreas
cho nochte fann ri naoidhean lucha
bu tusa ’m fàinne dhìon a bhànruinn,
camhanaich na bealltuinn bàna,
fìon na céitinn, crùn nan ceusadh,
ionad naomh nan òigh ’s nan adhlac,
sporach, slànach, cuimhne thoinnte
eadar reothadh agus toradh,
eadar dubhair geamhraidh’s fàs,
bu tu freiceadan na h-uaisle,
sealgair thaibhse, fasgadh sidhe,
cungaidh cridhe, borb is boidheach

a hawk, its talons as sharp as
the hard snares of your bark, its eye
out among where enemies,
its cup of chicks in your bush
is naked, weak as a mouse’s brood
you formed the ring around a queen,
you were the dawn of fair beltane,
mayday wine and crucifixion crown,
a holy place of virgins, graves,
thorny, healing, plaited memory
between frost and harvest
between winter dark and growth,
guardian of the noble rank,
ghost hunter, fairy shelter,
heart’s balm, fierce and beautiful

poem by aonghas macneacail