No matter which performance,
forged in collective memory,
in parchment, iron, gold
in marble,
clay – or stone,
a shape’d human form,
a vision of the inner eye,
the desires of the heart,
and no limits to the image of
the passion of the soul,
and any shape to fashion high,
exalt the work
of learned hand, of practice old.

As perfect as the running stream,
and water just as clear, and captured
well the whisperings leap
unto the ready ear —
the ever-flowing presence that
a fountain brings to years.

What celebration, honor, sculpted
wellspring well-designed —
how as people feel the fountain keeps
and represents the flow of time —
a treasure for the senses, and a pleasure
for the mind, as blood through marrow
pulls the fountain water as if
human kind.

Cibeles
Written by Seán Ó Coistealbha
Translated by Shannon O’Neill
See below for original Irish
2023

Cibeles

Is cuma cén comóradh
ar chuimhne cine, ar phár nó clár,
i marmar iarainn nó ór,
i gcloch nó cré,
dár chruthaigh duine,
níl tada i bhfís ná súl,
sa tocht, i gceartlár an chroí,
nó fiú san íomhá
ón anam-aigne,
a ghintear ag aon chrut fós
díobh siúd thuas,
ó láimh an tsaoir is oilte fiú,
atá chomh foirfe
le fíor uisce,
ina scaird go glé ag éirí
ag sileadh ‘s ag sioscadh,
go réidh gan stró.
Sin scoth chomóradh
‘s ceart cheiliúradh,
in omós do aon chuimhne
ar chóir a choinneáil
beo go buan, i measc daoine
mar rachadh sé
go domhain ‘s go smior
i dtaisce go fíor
i dtobar triarach ár gcéadfaí

scríobh le Seán Ó Coistealbha
áistriú le Shannon O’Neill
2023