ag deireadh an tséasúir
tá na deck-chairs
chomh huaigneach
le liathróid trá
faoin staighre
sa dílleachtlann;

seasann siad
ina líne dhíreach
timpeall na linne snámha,
lámha ceangailte
laistiar dá ndroim:

cimí
le bruach an phoill,
réidh le scaoileadh.


at the end of summer,
the deck-chairs are as lonely
as a beach ball
under the stairs
of the orphanage;

they stand in a straight line
around the swimming pool,
hands tied behind their backs:

prisoners at the edge of a pit,
waiting to be shot.

-Translated by Louis de Paor