Bean an Tí / The Housewife

A housewife thinks of what might have been, but then settles to be content with what she has...

Bean an Tí   Gach maidin glanann bean an tí a teach, Scuabann an urláir, níann na fuinneoga, Agus caitheann sí an bruscar amach.   Ullmhaíonn sí bricféasta na páistí ag dul ar scoil ag siúil, Fanann sí sa bhaile um thráthnóna, Tá brionglóid ina súil.   Tá a fear céile amach ag obair, Ní fheiceann sí é gach lá, Ach amháin cois tine san oíche, Í timpealltha le daoine le grá.   Ach i lár na laethanta folamha, Tá bironglóidí aici de shaol soar, Gan páistí nó fear céile, Tá sí cosúil le h-éan sa spéir.   Ina dhiaidh sin feiceann sí a clann, Tá sí sasta ag deireadh an lae, Leath ina coladh, Deireann sí peadracha Dé.   The Housewife   Every morning the housewife She cleans her house Brushes the floor, cleans the windows And she throws the rubbish out.   She prepares the breakfast Of the children who go to school walking She waits at home in the afternoon There is a dream in her eye.   Her husband is out working She doesn’t see him every day, At night by the fireside Surrounded by people with love.   But in the middle of empty days She has dreams of a free life without children or husband She is as free as a bird in the sky.   After that she sees her family She is happy at the end of the day Half sleeping, prayers she says And gives thanks to God

 

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Reviews

[Carrie Montgomery]

hmmm... did you read MY mind? I am a stay-at-home mom. I often wonder if I should have taken the teaching job I was offered. I wonder if there is more to life than THIS. But then , I think of all I would miss, all that the children would have to do without if I were out in the work force...and I realize that I am lucky to be able to be here for them. Still...there is sometimes this restless, unfullfilled part of me that wonders...
the rhythm of this poem fits the sentiment perfectly - it reads as if the character wrote it herself, kind of sad and dreaming then a resolve and greatfulness. Great job.

[Phibby Venable]

i love this...it presents the texture of dreams so well...and whether
we really want them to come true.