Poem
Celia de Fréine
OF CABBAGES AND QUEENS
Richard did not woo his woman with flowers –he lavished gifts on her mother instead.
At first they arrived in plastic bags, then
came the sacks, all containing vegetables
grown by him and his father. Fertilised
by the real thing. Irrigated under cover
of dark during the drought. Turnips as big
as your head. King Edwards that made
the juiciest chips. Cabbages broad enough
to conceal quads. Richard’s woman was not
expecting quads - her child was a girl,
much given to knee-jerks, like her mother.
© Translation: 2006, Celia de Freine
Faoi Chabáistí Is Ríonacha
Faoi Chabáistí Is Ríonacha
In ionad bláthanna a bhronnadh ar a bheanagus é i mbun tochmhairc, d’fhrasaigh Risteard
bronntanais ar a máthair. I dtosach
tháinig na málaí plaisteacha, ansin na saic,
iad lán le glasraí a d\'fhás sé féin is a athair.
Leasaithe go nádúrtha. Uiscithe faoi scáth
na hoíche i rith an triomaigh.
Turnapaí ar aon mhéid le do chloigeann.
Prátaí Rí Éadbhard as ar deineadh
na sceallóga ba shúmhaire. Cabáistí
sách leathan le ceathrairíní a cheilt.
Ní raibh bean Risteaird ag súil le ceathrairíní –
iníon a leanbh sise, í tugtha go mór
do fhrithbhualadh na glúine, ar nós a máthar.
© 2001, Celia de Freine
From: Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha
Publisher: Cló Iar-Chonnachta,
From: Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha
Publisher: Cló Iar-Chonnachta,
Poems
Poems of Celia de Fréine
Close
OF CABBAGES AND QUEENS
Richard did not woo his woman with flowers –he lavished gifts on her mother instead.
At first they arrived in plastic bags, then
came the sacks, all containing vegetables
grown by him and his father. Fertilised
by the real thing. Irrigated under cover
of dark during the drought. Turnips as big
as your head. King Edwards that made
the juiciest chips. Cabbages broad enough
to conceal quads. Richard’s woman was not
expecting quads - her child was a girl,
much given to knee-jerks, like her mother.
© 2006, Celia de Freine
From: Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha
From: Faoi Chabáistí is Ríonacha
OF CABBAGES AND QUEENS
Richard did not woo his woman with flowers –he lavished gifts on her mother instead.
At first they arrived in plastic bags, then
came the sacks, all containing vegetables
grown by him and his father. Fertilised
by the real thing. Irrigated under cover
of dark during the drought. Turnips as big
as your head. King Edwards that made
the juiciest chips. Cabbages broad enough
to conceal quads. Richard’s woman was not
expecting quads - her child was a girl,
much given to knee-jerks, like her mother.
© 2006, Celia de Freine
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