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Once again, the season of mustard flowers,
He's been gone for so long
The evening breeze by the riverbank
Colors the mustard with rain and sunshine
I've endured so much bitterness
In the longing and waiting
How many dreams
Are filled with despair
How much anticipation
Causes pain to the heart
Life is like a sinking boat
Underneath the deep, deep sea
The love that was once intoxicating
You have to leave again
The mustard flowers are past their prime
Withering away with the years
The low evening sun
Can't express anything else
I'm in a state of loneliness
Like faded mustard flowers.
Poetry by: Tran Van De

13. JANUARY, THE MONTH OF FADING MUSTARD FLOWERS
January, mustard flowers gently release their golden glow
Butterflies dance with the wind welcoming the new season
Bees, drunk on honey, forget their way home
The riverbank is quiet, the ferryboat rests
January, mustard flowers, did you forget, my dear?
The leaves, the figure, the rosy cheeks
Bidding farewell to the little sister with warm lips
And the clouds blending with the scent of love
January, mustard flowers, spring returns home
You stroll into the garden, catching dewdrops
Spring love has blossomed, why haven't you, my love?
Shall we turn flowers into butterflies, our story?
January, mustard flowers, scattered along the river
I returned too late, missing our love and longing
The old dock still reminisces, with a lingering scent
You've stepped into spring, must marry, they said
January, mustard flowers, the old season in my heart
Am I now waiting for butterflies, or still longing for bees?
The old garden now stands barren of mustard
Do you still remember the days of January?
Poetry by: Nguyen Ngoc Giang

14. RETURNING TO VISIT THE MUSTARD FLOWER SEASON
Will you come back to visit during the mustard flower season?
Where our homeland stretches along the riverbank in the winter afternoon
Do you know, now the mustard blooms
Just like in the old days, the riverbank shines gold in the wind
Do you remember, all these years, do you still remember?
Your lips red, your cheeks rosy like lipstick
I was eighteen, you sixteen, complete in our youth
Amidst the mustard leaves, we exchanged warm kisses
Do you recall, the golden, vibrant mustard flowers?
We were intoxicated with passion
Hand in hand, we walked along the riverbank
Ignoring the biting cold wind in our hearts
We parted ways, you went to a distant land
Leaving behind a person turned to stone
All these years, I've been tirelessly searching
The memories of the past have sunk to the bottom of the water
Come back, let's walk shoulder to shoulder
We'll turn back time together
Our homeland's riverbank brimming with happiness
If you don't return, I wish you peace.
Poetry by: Nguyen Dinh Huan
Saigon, January 11, 2021

15. REMEMBERING THE MUSTARD FLOWER SEASON
Spellbound that day when I met her
In the distant golden mustard fields
She was catching butterflies, picking flowers
If only I could cross over to her side
Today, the sun dyes the silk threads golden
But why is her shadow absent, oh flower?
Or perhaps she's shy to meet me
Oh flower! Let me stand afar and admire you
Hoping tomorrow the sun will overflow again
So the white butterfly from her home will fly out
Butterfly, oh butterfly, please help me
Lead me to her home to play
Poetry by: Ta Cong Khang
April 21, 2020

