Top 15 Poems by the Poet Tran Duy Hanh

RETURN TO HOMELAND

Often when Tet arrives
Dad sends me back to our village,
On the way, Dad always reminds
To remember the way back.

Whatever needs to be remembered
Just go and you'll arrive right away!
Perhaps Dad, now old,
Repeats these things all day long.

Next year when I study far away
Dad tells me to visit our hometown,
I go on a journey alone
To forge my own courage.

Nervous and worried
I hope for a quick dawn,
People and vehicles are prepared
Ready to go together.

The roads are so wide and beautiful
The scenery changes a lot
The familiar marks
Are no longer as much.

Confused, I ask for directions
All are people from all directions
Villages, towns, and cities
Gather together in the streets.

Well, I'll just make a phone call
Ask Dad for directions
And from there on
I'll remember the way back to my Homeland.
(SPRING, YEAR OF THE MONKEY - 2016)

CYCLING LESSONS

Dad bought me a new bike

I sweat profusely while practicing

Every time I lift my foot to sit

The bike leans over to the ground

My friends watch and burst into laughter

Pointing and gossiping

Mom says: Let's see

You have to stand up on your own

Grandpa says: Just leave it there

Grandpa holds the bike while I sit

Dad to me: Oh my goodness

You have to make an effort

Getting annoyed, grandpa scolds

Only helping when you're just starting

Once you've learned to pedal

Then you can practice on your own.

Hearing this, chubby me

Immediately stands up: Oh grandpa

I value you the most in the world

Grandpa holds the bike for me ...

(April 24, 2017)

CHILD'S FRIEND

A small gray swallow

Twirls around golden melon vines

The vast sky silently watches

Round eyes of the Child gaze.

Green melon leaves gracefully swirl

The bird maneuvers to find worms

Where does the hidden worm lie?

The bird manages to pull it out.

The bird hops step by step

The Child follows closely behind

Child's hand waves over its head

Waving to its small bird friend.

And from then on

Every morning in the playground

The Child looks up at the sky

As if awaiting the arrival of its bird friend.

(May 9, 2017)

A CHILD'S TALE

In front of the house, there's a small yard

Dad ties up a climbing vine

For the melon plant to climb

To shade from the summer sun.

The Child fears the vine is too high

How can the melon climb up?

Dad says: Let's build a bridge

So it can step up...

The Child giggles softly

That idea is truly great

But then Dad quickly says

That he's just teasing the child!

The mesh net that the child sees

The melon still climbs high

As long as it's cared for

The plant thrives with all its nutrients.

And indeed that's how it goes

Just a few days later

The melon climbs over the top

Blanketing the small yard in green.

From that experience

The Child learns another valuable lesson

Studying in books for days on end

Still requires practical experience.

(April 29, 2017)

MOTHER and CHILD

Mother extends her hand to assist
Helping the child climb the scale
To see in a few weeks' time
How many kilograms gained?

The child extends a hesitant hand
The scale ticking hesitantly
Following the red round marks
Asking mother how many pounds?

Mother says in a month's time
You've gained two kilograms
That's a good sign
You've been eating well and staying healthy.

Now the child is still small
Persistently eating evenly
The healthier you are, the more mother loves
Regularly attending school.

The child remembers mother's advice
Study diligently and eat well
To grow up healthy and strong quickly
To help mother with many tasks.

RAIN CLOUDS

( Children's rhyme )

The sky's sunny

Suddenly the wind rushes

Rain pouring down

On the streets.

People scurry

Avoiding the falling rain

Cries of: Oh my!

Rain like a storm.

Mother tells the child

Rain clouds

Will soon clear

Be cheerful.

Wait, my child

Amidst the cloudy sky

A rainbow will soar

Wonderful indeed...

GRANDPA'S GRANDCHILD

Today is Sunday

The child doesn't want to go out

Dad tries persuading

But the child remains silent

Even when friends call out

The child shakes their head: Nowhere

Mom gets very annoyed

This child! Stubborn as can be

Never argues when told

But why won't you go out?

But the child says nothing

How can I not get angry...

It's a matter between grandpa and child

No one really knows

The child remains resolute

Staying home on Sunday.

Because the child knows the truth

All week grandpa stays at home

Weak and unable to play far

On rest days, hoping for the grandchild.

(April 26, 2017)

SWIMMING LESSONS

As summer begins

We get to go for swimming lessons

Exercising while having fun

Oh! It's so much fun

Cultural Palace Swimming Pool

Water swaying gently

With the instructors

Guiding the little ones.

Learning to swim isn't hard

First, practice by the edge

Then gradually into the water

Splashing around freely...

A word from them

Summer break, let's go swimming

Enjoyable and healthy

And it boosts our health.

CHILDREN IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The drum beats resound

We head to the playground

Now it's physical education

For a healthy you, my friend!

Stand in line straight – Let's start

We warm up to our fullest

Expand our chests, breathe in

Lift our arms and legs gracefully.

Together we shout out loud

“Strength to serve the Nation”

Familiar movements

We practice every day.

We're deeply engrossed in class

Don't think it's a mere subject

We find it enjoyable

With activities for our limbs.

Physical education like this

Is beneficial for health

Our bodies become stronger

Remember to exercise regularly.

EARLY SUNSHINE

( Dedicated to the Children of HP Pediatric Hospital )

Just opened their eyes

Already seeing the golden Sun

Poking through the corridor

As if calling the child to rise.

The child waves their hand

But the Sun refuses to enter

With the wind whispering

Seems like playing with the Sun.

The child lies quietly

Unable to leave the bed

Though feeling restless

Longing for the Sun and Wind...

Is there anyone out there

Open the door and help

Let the Sun and Wind in

To play with the child.

END OF SUMMER

The phoenix flowers still bloom

Painting the sky red

Somewhere the sound of falling leaves

Signals the end of summer

Remember the beloved holiday

With joyful days of play

You receive an invitation

To explore and travel

A trip so delightful

Across Vietnam - Visiting three regions

Wonderful natural landscapes

Those new and unfamiliar lands

How could they be described?

The golden fields of rural rice

Flocks of storks returning

Kites against the wind

The bamboo forest still there

Whispering stories of the night

About the peaceful past

Nurturing countless dreams.

...

Time still lies ahead

But summer is almost over

Days of returning to school approach

See you next summer!

INVITATION TO PLAY
(Mid-Autumn Festival - 2017)

Today in our neighborhood

The alley is bustling

Anticipating the moon's glow

On the August Full Moon night

Tables full of fruits

Giant ripe pomelos

Fresh green packages of rice flakes

Ripe bananas with golden hues

Smooth pink fruits

Arranged beside baked cakes

Children joyfully

Running and jumping with laughter

Every house is lively

With beautiful toys

Fish lanterns

Even lanterns with puppets

Gathered together

In the village courtyard

Everyone is happy

Showing off their toys

A drum sounds the call

For the lion dance

Running around tirelessly

Uncle Teu with a round belly

Many children

Wearing masks

With new and funny shapes

Looking amusingly scary

Everyone is amazed

Princess crowns

Girls dancing

Shiny pearl beads

Playing with all their might

Running and jumping joyously

Everyone is smiling

Inviting you to join the fun

(21/9/2017 - 02/8 Ding You)

THE PEARL

Spring rain gently falls
Glistening down here
Some pearls cling to leaves
Some pearls soak into the earth

Worried the pearls will fall
The child quickly raises a hand
Catching the overflowing raindrops
In the palm of the child's hand

The drops, full and ripe
Just filling the child's hand
Tenderly examining with eyes
Sparkling like someone!

Yet it's truly quite difficult
To keep the water in hand
Yet the child fills it up
Sparkling with pearls throughout.
(Memories 19/5/2017 - Uncle's birthday)

SUMMER RAIN

The sky, ablaze with sun

Suddenly darkened, wind swirls

Dark clouds drift swiftly

And rain pours down heavily

Where has the sun gone?

Must be hiding well

In its own home, perhaps

I won't roam outside

In the wet rain

There, leaves flutter and fall

Landing in the flowing water...

When the rain subsides

The sun shines again

White clouds high above

A rainbow arcs across

My mom goes out to the field

While I open my book to study

In the garden, the toad croaks

The cicadas call for rain.

(25/4/2017)

TO SCHOOL

'Children like buds on branches
Knowing to eat, sleep, study is good...'
UNCLE HO

I attend kindergarten
With many beloved friends
Like a flock of sparrows
All day long, the chatter sounds

Playtime is noisy and lively
During study hours, silence we keep
We always strive to listen
To the teacher's teachings

On Children's Day
Which falls on June first
Teachers and students together
Celebrate joyously with songs

The school feels like a home
A festive air with music and dance
The schoolyard is wide and cool
With spectators crowded around

Like buds on branches
Kind mothers are our teachers
At school, we are taught and guided
And we become obedient pupils