The Little Things

The weather’s turning, Dewi,
The world is hot and heavy,
Where shall I shelter from the flood
That thuds upon the levee?

The skies may light tomorrow
With joy or weep with sorrow,
Keep watch, and mind to hold your will,
Recycle, build, and borrow.

The language of my country
Is slowly dying, Dewi,
For all our efforts, every year
I hear the same old story.

What use new legislation
The language of a nation
Unless the streets can hear and see
It’s daily application?

But, Dewi, now I fear
The signs of war, and hear
Its screams – what use is hope at all
When all the world’s on fire?

The deepest skies in darkness
Are ever trimmed with brightness,
Look up – there’s nothing to be gained
From gnawing pain and sadness.
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The dove and rising centre,
These little things remember,
And always keep your faith unbowed,
Be joyful now and ever.

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A poem to celebrate St David's Day, translated from this poem in Welsh. The last words of Wales's patron saint are very well known, especially his guidance to 'do the little things in life', but the whole passage is exceptional:

'Lords, brothers and sisters: be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed, and do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about.'

'Arglwyddi, frodyr a chwiorydd: byddwch lawen, a chedwch eich ffydd a'ch cred, a gwnewch y pethau bychain a glywsoch ac a welsoch gennyf i.'

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Darllena'r gerdd Gymraeg wreiddiol fan hyn.