Guí / A Wish

Guí

Garmhac an té
a bhfuil a shíniú
ar bhuidéal cáiliúil fuisce
d’iarr ar thaoiseach sa Chongó
ligean dó
radharc canablach a sceitseáil

Éisteadh lena ghuí
ar mhalairt sé chiarsúr bhána

Cailín deich mbliana d’aois
a bhí san íobartach –

Sláinte mhaith!

A Wish

The grand-son of one
whose signature graces
a famous bottle of whiskey
once asked a chieftain in the Congo
to allow him sketch
a cannibalistic scene

His wish was granted
in exchange for six white handkerchiefs

The sacrificial victim
was a ten-year-old girl

Sláinte mhaith!