Menna Elfyn

She made quite sure their clothes had all been aired,
hauled them above the railing, near the fire,
making quite sure that no one was to blame.
 
On some days, getting ready was a race:
a piece of toast in hand for school, the kids so young.
She made quite sure their clothes were freshly aired.
 
Nights without sleep, they all had the whooping cough.
Then they’d recover, their faces, rosy, fresh.
She made quite sure that no-one was to blame.
 
A falling out with friends, nothing too bad.
Each morning opened with a note of song.
She made quite sure their clothes were freshly aired.
 
After the grief, how hollow the words of grace,
The valley split, each family just the same;
she made quite sure that their clothes were aired.
It was ensured—no servant was to blame.

Si assicurava che i loro panni fossero stati tutti ben areati,
Dalla ringhiera li trasportave accabto al fuoco,
si assicurava che nessuno venisse biasmato.
 
Certi giorni, prepararsi diventava una corsa:
un panino in mano per la scuola, erano piccoli i bambini.
Si assicurava che i loro panni fossero areati di fresco.
 
Notti senza dormire, tutti con la tosse convulsa.
Poi si ripredevano, col visino rosa, fresco.
Si assicurava che nessuno venisse biasmato.
 
Qualche litigio con gli amici, niente di importante.
Ogni mattina si apriva con le note di una canzone.
Si assucurava che i loro panni fossero areati di fresco.
 
Dopo quel dolore, che vuote le parole del ringraziamento,
La valle spaccata, e cosi pure ogni famiglia;
Si assicurava che i loro panni fossero areati.
Questo era certo – nessuna serva era da biasimare.