2020-10-09

Go Luath i Mí na Nollag in Croton-on-Hudson

Grian spíceach. An Hudson
laghdaithe ag an leac oighir.
Cloisim díslí cnáimhe
an ghairbhéil shéidte ag cliceáil. Chomh
mílítheach le cnámh, greamaíonn
an sneachta nua den abhainn mar chlúmh.
Lánstad. Bhíomar ag imeacht chun féiríní Nollag
a sheachadadh anuraidh nuair a phléasc bonn.
Os cionn na gcomhlaí marbha giúiseanna
lomtha ag stoirm ina seasamh, a ngéaga nochta…
Tá tú uaim

Louise Glück

Early December in Croton-on-Hudson

Spiked sun. The Hudson’s
Whittled down by ice.
I hear the bone dice
Of blown gravel clicking. Bone-
pale, the recent snow
Fastens like fur to the river.
Standstill. We were leaving to deliver
Christmas presents when the tire blew
Last year. Above the dead valves pines pared
Down by a storm stood, limbs bared…
I want you


The Nobel Prize in Literature 2020 was awarded to Louise Glück "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal." ~ Nobel Committee