Top 11 Best Poems by Hồ Xuân Hương

'My body is both white and round,
Seven float, three sink in the countryside's bound.
Crushed by hands, yet my heart still sound,
With steadfastness, my virtue is found.'

===>The poet uses the image of floating rice cakes to depict the fate of women in general and her own fate in particular. It praises noble qualities and shows empathy for the status of women in the old society. The poem also expresses humanitarian inspiration in literature. The image of floating rice cakes, both new and familiar, is brought into her poetry.

'Gently tapping, a few raindrops fall,
Who praises the subtle scene of the reed flute?
Green embraces the round canopy of trees,
White blankets the tranquil river.

The hillsides drunk on the landscape,
The moon's bag heavy with poetry.
Oh, the leaves prefer someone,
Who sees, who wouldn't marvel.'

==>The poem's meaning can be understood simply as: The autumn scene is simple, picturesque, and wonderful. Raindrops continue to fall incessantly, each drop pouring down from banana leaves. No matter how skilled the painter, they cannot capture the slightly melancholic, simple scene. In the next two lines, the color scheme of the painting changes slightly. It's the fresh, green color of the ancient trees with their perfectly round canopies. It's the calm, tranquil river reflecting the white color of the sky, drifting endlessly.

In the next section, the understanding is that one is intoxicated, even though there's already alcohol in them, the hillside having drained all the wine. Yet, before the beauty of nature, one still wants to drink. The intoxicated person is not only drunk on wine but also intoxicated by the beautiful landscape of the mountains.

'A hole, once threaded, is just right
Destiny's been with you since ancient time
Three-cornered leather still needs more
Closing it, there's still excess meat galore
Cooling the hero's face when the wind ceases
Sheltering the scholar's head in the rain's decreases
Gently asking those in the courtyard:
'Is your heart content, unburdened?''

==> The main theme of Hồ Xuân Hương's poetry often carries many implications. In this poem, it depicts the beauty of women. However, according to Hồ Xuân Hương's interpretation, the meaning in these poems may vary. Or she simply describes the folding paper fan.... If we cannot find the exact answer from the poet herself, let's just believe in what we think, feel the beauty in our own way.

'Through many autumns, it still persists,
Why does it wane when it should be full?
Ask the White Hare, how many years has it been?
Ask Lady Hang Nga, how many children now reside?
At night, why does it cast light on the watchtower?
In daylight, how many circles of shyness remain?
Years drift by, awaiting whom?
Or is there a private affection for the waters and lands?'

==>Main theme: It could be the confession of a girl newly in love. 'Hồ Xuân Hương loved Nguyễn Du then questioned herself:'

(1-2) Asking the eternal moon, Through many autumns, it still persists, these lingering questions, why does the moon wane when it should be full?
(3-4) Ask the white hare, the rabbit on the moon, how many years has it been; and Lady Hang Nga, how many children now...
(5-6) At night, why does it shine on her destined encounter with Nguyễn Du, the son of a noble house at the watchtower adorned in red. Causing the green day to meet, timid before the rising sun
(7-8) Years drift by, waiting for whom, or is there already an affair with the waters and lands.

'Roosters crowing atop the arches,
Bitterness gazes over every corner.
The wretched pestle pounds aimlessly,
The bell of sorrow remains silent, why hide?
First, hearing the mournful sounds,
Later, resenting fate's sealed lips.
Where are the scholars, the literati?
This body hasn't yet embraced old age.'

==> Main theme: Solitary Love I is another poem speaking of the special emotions within each reader. It holds distinct aspects and portrays a land of tranquility, where women no longer endure pain and twisted fates. It vividly portrays gentle nuances and feelings of frustration and individual empathy. There's a profound longing for happiness from the author, something everyone hopes for, a desire for a warm, emotionally rich love story, full of poetic imagery that stirs the souls of readers. Here, the poetic imagery carries profound, lingering memories into the psyche of every individual.

'A few lines of embroidered characters, a precious jewel's sentiment,
Thinking, musing over five seasons, the moon peeps through the pavilion.
Leaves dyed with wormwood enhance their modesty,
Mist mixed with blue smoke intensifies sorrow.
Thoughtful before the temple, the house boasts of wind,
Resonating echoes beside the ears, the enemy's shouts are distant.
Whispers to the aged moon carved so precisely,
Why tease each other with strands of silk?'

==> According to TS. Pham Trong Chanh, Hồ Xuân Hương wrote this poem when she was pressured by her mother to marry the neighbor, a Taoist monk from the Western Village of Nghi Tam. Nhân had someone in Ha Tinh. Hồ Xuân Hương sent this poem. According to him, Nguyễn Du's poem 'Dream Letter' was in response to this poem.

'In a flock, who's cleverly cunning,
A crack reveals a hollow, eerie humming.
Those familiar with Buddha's realm step confidently,
Strangers strain their eyes, inspecting intently.
Drops of water, affectionate and pure, fall with sanctity,
A boat without a helm, bows humbly.
The forest echoes with bustling blooms once more,
Clearly, the aging sky reaches its twilight.'

==> Another poem by Hồ Xuân Hương, though not containing the word 'spring,' still exudes the essence of the season: 'Echoes of Perfumed Streams' is a famous landmark central to the historical and cultural heritage site nationwide. Perfumed Stream Cave, located in Mỹ Đức district, Hà Tây province, was annexed to Hanoi on August 1, 2008. The temple there is where visitors from afar eagerly gather each spring.'

'A ripe autumn moon, mouth agape,
Red cinnamon buds, in a crimson cape!
In the midst, a basin, still askew,
Outside, the wings, closed askew.
Detest the bared, who pry and poke,
Itch the coward, Cuội, hiding yoke.
Oh, you who snapped the cinnamon stem,
Did Hang Nga perchance cast her gem?'

==> Poem Summary:
(1-2): Introduce the vivid imagery and peculiar color of the moon: The moon is now a ripe fruit, long ripe. Also a round block with red cinnamon, bright red horror.
(3-4-5-6): Details of the moon: In the middle of the moon is a basin, (flat round) so the mold is not round, but crooked. Crooked (crooked: round skewed, deviates from the standard shape.) Outside the moon, there are two wings closed deeply. Annoyed by people rushing to poke, (poke: stab directly into), (poke: using hands to search or take something out of a hole). Here, 'poke and prod,' figuratively means teasing out others' privacy. So Cuội just stood hunched over.
(7-8): So (who dares), please ask, who was the one who went to break the cinnamon? At that place, there is a person as beautiful as Hang Nga still waiting, anticipating.

'Crafty creation, nature's wonder,
Husband thus, and Wife yonder.
Upstairs, snow-capped with grace,
Under, dew-kissed, a rosy face.
Heart and moon, with Sister Yue,
Love block, against river and mountain true.
Even the rock knows aged spring's art,
No wonder one’s young at heart.'

Spring is a season in the year, a transition through time. Through poetry, spring is translated along a psychological trajectory. For the poetess, spring is a vibrant season, abundant with vitality that presents the genuine essence of love:
'Heart and moon, with Sister Yue,
Love block, against river and mountain true.
Even the rock knows aged spring's art'

No wonder one’s young at heart. Gazing upon “Grandparents' Rock,” the poetess enthusiastically pours affection onto the stone. And the stone's affection swiftly turns into spring's love. Reading this poem, Xuân Diệu must praise that the Nôm poetry mistress is also a sculptor of exquisite shapes: 'A sculptor breathed life into it, love into the stone, to the extent that the stone blushes as if it has blood flowing: the stone is very hard, very heavy, but it does not lie dead like a stone, it expands, it is worn down, it ages with spring love.'

Through the poetess’s poem emerges not only as a sculptor but also as a creator of feelings. Both meticulous and marvelous, the Nôm poetry mistress has transformed the emotions of spring, seemingly elusive, into tangible objects, rough and angular, thick with layers, fresh with many colors: A couple imprinted on a white sheet of paper, Even after a thousand years, the green spring remains. Spring love is embodied, Is it early? Time has its noon... That's why it's airy, dizzy, and jubilant. Pity for those who, for natural or human reasons, do not enjoy the wonderful happiness of worldly life, because: Where is the spring of love thrown away!'

' Midnight echoes, drumbeats resound

Alone, the beauty faces water and ground

Wine cup, its fragrance, sobriety it brings

Moon's shadow, incomplete crescent sings

Across the earth, mosses intertwine

Clouds' feet pierce, rocks align

Wearied of springs, in cycles they roam

Love fragments, each, a compassionate tome'

=> The poem employs the Seven-word Eight-line regulated verse form with ingenious language and creativity. Hồ Xuân Hương depicted with authenticity the unhappy life of Vietnamese women in ancient times, showcasing her talent, courage, and defiance. This work deserves a place among the best Nom poems in Vietnamese medieval literature. Moreover, it expresses the ardent wish of all women of every era and reveals empathy for women facing the passage of time, while also revealing optimism and the fervent desire for happiness of Vietnamese women in society of yore.

'A thousand miles, fate finds its way,

Worry not, green springs forever stay.

Ink on the page, poetry unfolds,

Near or far, leaves of love, life holds.

Names, pens poised for stories to tell,

Drum beats, echoes in the dell.

Though leaves don't drift in the flowing stream,'

=> The essence of the poem:
Chễm chệ, chễm chện: describes a dignified, solemn sitting posture. Reason not to worry about missed fate. Always engaging with fellow poets, sharing artistic pursuits. Colliding with men, yet remaining intact - The purity of a woman's character.

Epitomizing the two lines: “Fate brings together those meant to meet - Without fate, opposites never greet.” In the past, there was a noblewoman, the daughter of a noble family who was choosy about her husband. Three suitors came to vie for her hand. The scholar had to finish writing an ancient book - The hunter had to shoot off all the leaves on a cornstalk - The strongman had to run thousands of miles to fetch a drum. Whoever completed the task first could marry the beautiful lady. The lady assumed only the hunter (with a ready name) or the scholar (with a prepared pen) would succeed since the leaves were nearly gone, and the ancient book was nearly complete. However, unexpectedly, the sound of a drum resounded - the strongman had completed his task first. The specific example of marital destiny is reiterated through the two aforementioned lines. No letters exchanged - Crimson leaf: “Legend of Vu Huy: During Emperor Tang Huizong's reign, Vu Huy caught a red leaf floating from the palace's royal pond with a poem inscribed on it. Huy replied with a poem and threw it back to the palace, where court lady Han Thi caught it. Subsequently, the king released Han Thi. Through fortunate fate, Vu Huy married Han Thi and recognized each other through the red leaf. Han Thi composed a poem with the line: “The red leaf brought love's message, oh sweet lips!”