Carol Ann Duffy

Drams
Goccetti

The snow melt early,
meeting river and valley,
greeting the barley.

Neve già sciolta,
incontra fiume e valle,
saluta l’orzo.

–

In Glen Strathfarrar
a stag dips to the river
where rainclouds gather.

In Glen Strathfarrar
un cervo beve al fiume
tra nubi nere.

–

Dawn, offered again,
and heather sweetens the air.
I sip at nothing.

Alba ancor s’offre,
aria dolce d’erica.
Sorseggio il nulla.

–

A cut-glass tumbler,
himself splashing the amber …
now I remember.

Bicchiere inciso,
lui che sciaborda l’ambra…
ora ricordo.

–

Beautiful hollow
by the broad bay; safe haven;
their Gaelic namings.

All’ampia baia
bella conca, riparo;
celtici i nomi.

–

It was Talisker
on your lips, peppery, sweet,
I tasted, kisser.

Sulle tue labbra
Talisker: baci dolci,
pepati, gustai.

–

Under the table
she drank him, my grandmother,
Irish to his Scotch.

Sotto il tavolo
lo beveva mia nonna,
Irlanda allo…