Loitiméireacht
Deineadh loitiméireacht ar an bhfógra dhátheangacha sheasann go huaigneach leis féin
agus tú ag teacht isteach i nGleann na nGabhar
Tá an Béarla – Glengower – scriosta
agus níl fágtha ach Gleann na nGabhar.
Daoine atá ag iarraidh Glengower a bhaint amach
tá mearbhall ceart anois orthu
níl a fhios acu ó thalamh an domhain cá bhfuilid
féachann an áit ar nós Glengower
tá na siopaí is na pubanna céanna ann
an séipéal folamh is an reilig lán
an dealbh . . . ach
an féidir a bheith lánchinnte?
Tagann Coiste Forbartha an Bhaile le chéile
agus iad ar fad ag tarraingt na gcos
ní ardaítear an cheist in aon chor
tar éis an tsaoil, cé a dhéanfadh a leithéid?
níl ach fanaiceach teanga amháin ar an mbaile –
an Cathaoirleach – agus tar éis uair an chloig
gan mórán in aon chor a rá
cuirtear an cruinniú ar athlá.
Vandalism
The bilingual sign standing so lonely
by itself as you approach Glengower
has been vandalized.
The English – Glengower –has been destroyed
all that’s left is Gleann na nGabhar.
People trying to reach Glengower
don’t know the hell where they are
shops and pubs are still standing
the empty church, the graveyard that’s full,
the statue . . . yes, but
can one be perfectly sure?
The Development Committee convenes
all dragging their feet
the question isn’t even brought up
after all, who would perpetrate such an act?
the town boasts only one language fanatic –
the Chairman – and after a full hour
with nothing of any consequence spoken
the meeting is postponed.