Lagad an heol

THE SUN'S EYE

 

---Sun, why are you so late getting up?

And why is your eye so red?

Did you have a nightmare

And weep in your sleep?

 

---I've neither slept nor dreamt.

During the night I've kept watch,

While the West slept without a care

On the grey ashes of its laurels,

I took a trip around the World.

 

---Sun! What did you see on your way?

 

 ---I saw people dying of cold.

I saw people dying of hunger.

Saw people dying in despair.

Saw people killing people, brothers striking each other.

Saw people oppressed.

Saw a great leader falling under a madman's bullets.

Saw I don't know how many people weeping.

 

And I still remained indifferent.

 

I saw people jeer at their afflicted brother,

At those in need,

At those under the yoke.

 

Then, however, I had to weep,

So that my eye is still red.

 

---Sun! Stop your weeping now.

Very soon in the Breton Sea,

You will soak your inflamed eye.

 

May 1964.