“Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa,” written in Irish by Máirtín Ó Direáin, is a poetic pathway to peace and security. Although it speaks of walking between the shore and the sea, the poem is about the solid sense of identity we find in places and people, in land and language.

The Ojibwe translation, “Niwii-aabiziwinge,” echoes that sentiment and was written to be sung along with a version of the poem set to music by Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre. This translation was also featured in Poetry Daily’s series, What Translation Sparks.

Solace Poem

1)
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
Niwii-aabiziwinge
I will find Solace

Seal beag gairid
Ajina eta
A short while only

I measc mo dhaoine
Dago-enewemaganag
Among relatives

Ar oileán mara,
Minisaagaming
On a sea island

Ag siúl cois cladaigh
Ditibeweyaan
Walking the stone beach

Maidin is tráthnóna
Megwaa waasezid
Morning and evening

Ó Luan go Satharn
Gaawiin ge-anama’aasiiyaan
When I am not praying

Thiar ag baile
Ningabii’anong
In the west

2)
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
Niwii-aabiziwinge
I will find Solace

Seal beag gairid
Ajina eta
A short while only

I measc mo dhaoine
Dago-enewemaganag
Among relatives

Ó chrá chroí,
Boonigiisaadendamaan
Without sorrow

Ó bhuairt aigne,
Boonibabaamendamaan
Without mind worry

Ó uaigneas dhuairc
Booniniboodewiziyaan
Without loneliness

Ó chaint ghontach
Booniwanaanimiziyaan
Without confusion

Thiar ag baile
Ningabii’anong
In the west