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The death of children (Shaetlan, Shetlandic)
A translation of Richard Berengarten’s poem ‘The death of children’
by Christine De Luca
The death of children (Shaetlan, Shetlandic)
Read more about this translation over at the Appendix.
The death of children (Shaetlan, Shetlandic)
Da daeth o peerie tings
Hit’s da daeth o peerie tings dat töllies maist
wi whit’s fair an richt. Nae ös in spörin tirnly.
Whit justice is, we’r nae wiser as da föls.
Whit kind o pexins can ivver aese sic döl?
De’r nae plea, excuse, med even taerfully.
Hit’s da daeth o peerie tings dat töllies maist.
Whaivver tries ta justify, hit’s makadö
ta read fate’s lines. Though we man swear bi
whit justice is, we’r nae wiser as da föls
aboot da waeve o chance. Wha tröttles on
wi raesons fir sic actions tells a lee.
Hit’s da daeth o peerie tings dat töllies maist.
Daeth canna lippen a hairst dat’s mair as döl
fae dem at barely lived, fock cry oot, dreein.
Whit justice is, we’r nae wiser as da föls.
Cöllie aboot, gie strent ta fremd an freend:
fir we’r aa midders, faiders whin bairns dee?
Whit justice is, we’r nae wiser as da föls.
Hit’s da daeth o peerie tings dat töllies maist.
Translated by
Christine De Luca