National Poetry Month 14/30: Uisge-Beatha

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This National Poetry Month(NPM), I am writing and sharing original poems about food, family and feasts. Sundays will be a day to reshare a poem from the past. A list of links to previous poems is HERE.

I am not a big whisky drinker. But I do like a hot toddy when I have a cold or a tè bheag (a small whisky)every once in a while. I’ve been learning Scottish Gaelic so along with that I am writing small poems here and there.
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My father’s father was from Scotland (Alba) and he was a big believer of uisge-beatha (whisky) for medicinal uses.

usige-beatha
water of life
a’ ghealach air cùl nan cnoc
cha ghabh mi ach balgam
aon ìoc
for a cold

translation:
whisky
water of life
the moon is behind the hills
I’ll just have a sip
one cure
for a cold

​©jone rush macculloch (2020, draft)

Tapadh leat (thank you) to my teacher for minor editing.