In Translation
The English have no word for ‘cynefin’
claimed the Welsh farmer.
But in 2001 even lowland
town-dwellers learned one,
Its comfortable sense of home
coloured by the sadness of a broken
link, an empty hill.
My thoughts are hefted on my place
In space, time, class and faith.
Behind each word a jumble of
memories.
Nealopitan ice-cream on the wireless
with homework on the dining table.
A bible-black, guitar playing,
rabbit.
Family jokes, ‘mind the boggles’
If you read my words you read them in
translation.
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Hefting is a
system of livestock husbandry based on territorial instincts. A heft is both
the name for the group of sheep and the area to which they restrict themselves,
or are restricted by shepherding. There are a number of local words which
describe hefting and these include walk, heugh, cut, hirsel, haunts, lear,
lyrying, lairing, heafing and the welsh name is ‘cynefin’.
‘a flock
established on a hill beyond living memory will thrive as they have come to
terms with their environment’ Rough
Fell Sheep Breeders Association (2007)
