A poem in Vietnamese by Vũ Trọng Quang

Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

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r U n R u N r U n k E e P r u n n ing

.

the agonizing rush towards the promised land

the lies of those holding onto the acres

affront the separations upon a torturous land

returning to the desolation of nowhere

.

the flickering distant dreams

a pillow of rocks and pebbles by the road

faces pale and bloodless hues of banana leaves

letting go of that far away home

.

the enduring vigil

layers upon layers of the anxious crowd

amidst the endless nothingness

affront the rapidly dying day

.

an elephant through the eye of a needle

an ant lost its way

the generations clumsy fingers searching for each other

absent even from between the gutters

.

the waiting through…

We have to nurture and heal ourselves. A commitment to ourselves regarding our physical, mental, and spiritual well being ought to be a prerequisite and not an afterthought.

© Norma Bobb-Semple 2022

A poem in Vietnamese by Nguyễn Bắc Sơn

Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

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To my children

Dedicated to my mother

–

Children, when you’re older you’ll hear stories about your father

About a poet who took up arms, because he loved peace

–

Stationed on a hill in clouds of blinding dust, as dusk descended

I had missed you, my children

Even though it was just a subdivision but I did my small part

You should be proud of your father’s heart

–

O the story about an unfortunate hero

A vagabond amongst fools

It’s the story of my life, so children you must not forget

A lengthy part in trudging decorum

–

I never resented life for despising me

The path I took was chosen long ago

But when I caught a glimpse my mother’s grey hair

I shed the silent tears for what…