ailm

 

Ur/ heather


Ur/ heather
do shìomain ruadh
a cuairteachadh nan
iomadh buaile far
nach faighear
aona bhuachaill’ on
ghabh thu buaidh

bhrat a chòmhdaich
ceann is gualainn
an tìr a tuath seo,
mar phlaide teann,
thug adhart fighte
do thàmh an t-sluaigh

leann na slàinte
bho’n t-saoghal àrsaidh,
brìgh na meala
dh’an t-seilean dligheach,
buigead bobhstair
do chuspair ruaig

sguab is pasgart
is tughadh daingeann,
 do thìr ’s do mhuinntir,
ri am an fhòirneirt
 na d’ bhraidseal clisgidh,
na d’fhalaisg dùsgaidh
your brown ropes
surrounding all
those many folds where
no cow-herds can be
found now, since
you took control

banner that covered,
head and shoulder,
this northern land,
close woven plaid,
a knitted pillow
for the people’s rest

an ale for health
from the ancient world,
source of honey
to the dutiful bee,
softest mattress
for fugitives

broom and basket
and close-bond thatch
for land and folk,
in time of onset
a fire to startle,
heathfire to stir life
poem by aonghas macneacail/ picture by simon fraser