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)