My Species -- Jane Hirshfield (Redux)

Mo Speiceas-Sa

an bliosán beag corcra
fiú
a bheirítear
ina chuid uiscí féin
goirt
ag dorchú
éiríonn bog,
milis is mín
foighne, a speicis liom,
ar mé i m’aignese
leanaíg’ oraibh ag tástáil na nduilleog spíonach
an croí spíonach

Jane Hirshfield

 

My Species

even
a small purple artichoke
boiled
in its own bittered
and darkening
waters
grows tender,
grows tender and sweet
patience, I think,
my species
keep testing the spiny leaves
the spiny heart

~ Jane Hirshfield ~

(The Beauty)