Faoistin (1946)

Pádraig Ó Broin, composed in Toronto, Ontario

I am a poet

That made affections

In opposition with

The Holy Spirit.

File mise

A rinne cionta

I gcoinnibh leis

An Spiorad Naomh.

I clean my hands,

I will clean my soul:

I put away from me

That most poisonous thing.

Glanaim mo lámha,

Glanfad m’anamsa:

Chuireas uaimse

An rud úd is nimhe.

She was a thing possessed

By every single person -

I will not eat food

Regurgitated, again.

Ba sheilbh ise

Ag gach aon duine -

Ní íosfad bia

Athchaite, arís.

My leg will not go

Between her legs -

On the cold flagstones

I bend a knee.

Ní rachaidh mo chosa

Idir a cosaibh -

Ar leacaibh fhuara

Cromaim glúin.

I read in books,

I memorize for speaking;

I pray to God

To be in my heart.

Léim i leabhraibh,

Meabhraím chun labhartha;

Guím Dia

Bheith i mo chroí.

And when I will be

Freshly a poet,

With words upon my mouth

From the Holy Spirit,

‘S nuair a bheidh mise

Nua im’ fhile,

Is briathar ar bhéal agam

Ón Spiorad Naomh,

From Mary, holiest

Amongst women,

Permission to woo her

I will ask humbly.

Ó mhnaoi is áirde

Idir mnáibh,

Cead chun í shuirí

Iarrfad go humhal.

The back of my leg and hand

To the English language.

My true love and my life

The language of the Gael.

Cúl cois’ is láimhe

Ar an dteangain nGallda.

M’fhíorghrá ‘s mo shaol

Teanga an Ghaeil.

Adapted from: Ó Broin, Pádraig. 1946. “Faoistin.” Pádraig Ó Broin (J. Patrick Byrne) Papers. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. MS Coll 00247.

For citation, please use: Ó Broin, Pádraig. 1946. “Faoistín.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca