The Wind
A' Ghaoth
We read one of the simple descriptive stories of Iain Mac a' Ghobhainn or Iain Crichton Smith, as he is better known in English, in Cuspair 5, and another in Cuspair 14.
As well as being renowned as a writer, in both Gaelic and English, he was also known as a poet.
Read the following poem: “The Wind” by Mac a' Ghobhainn (Crichton Smith), first.
You may wish to read it two or three times.
Think about the language, how he uses the vocabulary, and the theme: what is the message in the poem?
A’ ghaoth
Iain Mac a' Ghobhainn
Tha a' ghaoth a' sèideadh anns an t-similear.
Cò air a tha i gearan fad na h-oidhch'?
Gu bheil i gun ainm? Nach eil duine bruidhinn oirre
Nuair a tha i sàmhach anns a' choill'?
A bheil i airson gun toir sinn an aire dhi?
An e sin as coireach gum bris i ar bàtaichean,
gun cuir i às do ar taighean màrbhail,
gum bàth i ar seòladairean anns a' chuan?
'S nuair a chì i ùmhlachd nar n-aodannan
am fàs i sàmhach a-rithist,
an tèid i chadal,
le a broinn làn,
le a ceann aotrom is ciùin?
Do you think you can translate this poem into English?
Perhaps it's not quite as difficult as it first appears!
But watch out!
Often in poetry, letters are left out, especially vowels, to improve rhythm, for example:
| tha i gearan | tha i a' gearan |
| fad na h-oidhch' | fad na h-oidhche |
| Nach eil duine bruidhinn oirre | Nach eil duine a' bruidhinn oirre |
| an tèid i chadal | an tèid i a chadal |
| anns a' choill' | anns a' choille |
And use a dictionary if you have to.
Good luck!