Alasdair

by Angus Peter Campbell
( Aonghas Phàdraig Caimbeul )

Alasdair       English Version

Some things were public.
How carefully you thatched,
gathering the best marram, kiln–
dried.

Then when the Spring work was done,
leaning towards June,
the old ladder
emerged

propping up the west wall. Evening
was best, after the machair–work,
you flat out on the roof,
pleating

the twine as carefully as a young girl
braiding her doll’s hair.
Your night prayer was quiet
as grass.

Aonghas Phàdraig Caimbeul
( Angus Peter Campbell )

Alasdair       Scottish Gaelic

Bha cuid de rudan follaiseach.
Cho faiceallach ‘s a bhiodh tu tughadh,
am muran as f hèarr agad, tiormaichte
às an àtha.

Nuair sin, às dèidh obair an Earraich,
a’ sìneadh dhan Ògmhios,
nochdadh an t–seann f hàradh
a–mach

an–aghaidh a’ bhalla shiar. Feasgar
a b’ f hèarr, air ais on mhachaire,
‘s tu nad laighe air a’ mhullach
a’ fighe

nan sìomain mar chaileag òg
a’ preasadh gruaig na dolaig.

Ùrnaigh na h–oidhche cho socair
le feur.