By Du Tử Lê, translated by Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

Take me to the sea when I’m gone
a life exiled shall never fill a barrow
nor the alien soil break down the flesh
how could a stagnant soul return home

Take me to the sea when I’m gone
the riptides shall take me
on the other side of the sea is my homeland
the bamboo groves evergreen through the ages

Take me to the sea when I’m gone
but don’t be in a rush to close my eyes
let my eyes set upon my homeland alas
just in case my body never reach its destination

Take me to the sea when I’m gone
don’t hesitate ‘cause you’re worried for me
so many were fish food not long ago
another dried up corpse matters not

Take me to the sea when I’m gone
so I may meet again my children