Mise Raifteirí an File

Mise Raifteirí an File by Antoine Ó Raifteirí is a poem written in Irish about the life of a poet. There is a feeling of frustration at never feeling fulfilled or rewarded fairly.

Ireland’s 100 favourite poems

There is an English translation at the bottom the page.

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Ogham, the mysterious language of the trees The Origins of the Ogham alphabet are still a mystery for many historians, but it is primarily thought to be an early form of the Irish written Language.

Mise Raifteirí an File

Mise Raifteirí an file,
Lán dóchas is grá,
Le súile gan solas,
Le ciúnas gan chrá.

‘Dul siar ar m’aistear
Le solas mo chroí
Fann agus tuirseach
Go deireadh mo shlí.

Féach anois mé
Is mo chúl le balla,
Ag seinm ceoil
Do phócaí folmha.

Ireland’s 100 favourite poems

I am Raftery the poet

I am Raftery the poet,
Full of hope and love,
With eyes without light,
Calm without anguish.

Going back in my travels
With the light of my heart
Weary and tired
To the end of my journey.

Look at me now
And my back to the wall,
Playing music
To empty pockets.

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