2012-12-29

Bhí fhios agam nach raibh ann ach crann (do Ko Un)

Bhí fhios agam nach raibh ann ach crann
(do Ko Un)

Bhí fhios agam nach raibh ann ach crann
ach claochlaíodh le soilse é
le maisiúcháin
le sneachta bréige
agus i dtús an 21ú haois
thugamar ómós de shaghas éigin dó

Is gearr go mbeidh orainn é a chaitheamh amach
is é a thabhairt d'inneall athchúrsála
thuas ansin ar Chnoc Chill Iníon Léinín
is béicfidh sé
mar a bhéic anuraidh
is an bhliain roimhe sin -
an spíonlach -
cad is ea é?

Cad is ea sinne?
I knew it was only a tree
(for Ko Un)

I knew it was only a tree
but it had been transformed by lights
and decorations
artificial snow
and now, early in the 21st century
we pay it obeisance, of sorts

We'll have to throw it out soon
and give it to the recycling machine
up above on Killiney Hill
and it will scream
like it screamed last year
and the year before -
the needles -
what are they?

What are we?