Top 10 Beautiful Poems by Poet Chu Long

MY FATHER
Author: Chu Long

The fields beneath the scorching sun of May
The green vegetables bow, the grass lies still, the trees weary
The sky is vast, with not a single cloud
The intense sunlight pours into the deep fields.

My father bears the sunlight on his head
The plow becomes his companion, with the ox plowing the land
A life dedicated to farming
His feet weary from the endless stretches of fields - My father.

His tears blend with the sweat
Draining every bit of his life for his children
My father, in the twilight of his years
Still treads through the mud and toil every day.

So that we could experience the springs of life
Though his body endured endless hardships, he accepted it willingly.
HP 20/6/2018 - Chu Long

THE PAIN OF A FATHER
Author: Chu Long

The joy I thought would stay forever
The time of soldier's uniform is now forgotten
Happiness never had the chance to be named
The pain rushed in, overshadowing my life.

The thatched roof is missing a figure
Leaving behind only laughter as it fades
My heart heavy with unbearable grief
As my child suffers from Agent Orange's curse.

Once, it was the North against the South
With the battlefield's bullet still lodged inside
The homeland, peaceful once more
Yet suffering fills the family – father and child.

The rooster crowing in the empty yard
A man carrying sickness, raising a disabled child
A poor house, with just two fruits for a room
A solitary tree bears withered fruits, together in misery...
HP 21/6/2018 Chu Long

CROSSROAD OF DONG LOC 24-7-1968
Author: Chu Long
(Dedicated to the women on the 50th anniversary of their sacrifice)

Next to the Truong Son mountain range
The Dong Loc Crossroad remains here
This “death coordinate” crossroad
Was bombarded with artillery fire day and night by the American forces.

The earth, scorched by fire, gave rise
To ten blooming lotus flowers in vibrant pink
The flower's petals, a symbol of the resilient spirit
Forever etched into history, marking a thousand years of struggle.

Every meter of this road bears bitterness and anger
The Dong Loc crossroad, now buried under bombs
Yet ten lotus flowers still bloom in crimson
Smiles bloom brightly upon their faces.

July 24th, oh day of sorrow
The Dong Loc Crossroad shakes with the heavens
Not a place left untouched
Fifteen bombing raids left the peaceful land in mourning.

Ten unyielding red lotus blooms
Withstood bombs and fire, clearing the roads
And then, these ten flowers of courage
Left behind their homeland, abandoning the spring of life.

At the age of twenty, they gave up their lives
For their country, forsaking glory and fame
Sisters Tan, Xuan, Rang, Cuc, Xanh
Xuân Hương, Hoi Nho, Ha… their names live on forever!
23/7/2018 Chu Long

BRINGING THE RED FLOWERS OF VIETNAM BACK TO THE ROOTS
Author: Chu Long

The graves are lined up in rows
Resting peacefully in the hometown cemeteries
Day after day, people come and go
Lighting incense, with fragrant red flowers blossoming beside them.

As a sign of love for the people
Gratitude for those who planted the trees we now harvest
Here lie the heroes with names and stories
In places where they gave their lives for us.

How many souls rest beneath the earth
Buried in our homeland’s soil - where are they?
The plains, hills, deep forests
The rivers, streams, and tumultuous seas – where do they lie?

They gave their youth
To the land of the homeland, with blood, flesh, and bone
For the spring to bloom across the country
And for their spring to be a gift to the people.

How many martyrs lie at peace
How many are still without graves - how many?
We clasp our hands in prayer
May their spirits find eternal peace.

We, the living, vow to carry on
Bringing the red flowers of Vietnam back to the roots.
27/7/2018 Chu Long

OUR HOMELAND, VIETNAM

Author: Chu Long

I stand here on the beautiful islands
Truong Sa, our homeland, Vietnam
Where I stand, countless heroic deeds
Hoang Sa, the islands of Vietnam through the ages.

My love, let me send you a message
The salty water, the sea breeze
I love you with a deep love
In my veins runs the red blood of Vietnam.

Do you see, my love, the beautiful sea beneath the blue sky?
The seagulls spread their wings, flying over the waves
They continue their flight, even when the sky is stormy and the sea is rough
Never fearing the thunder or the rain.

The stars fill the night sky, the sea so vast
The white waves crash upon the shore
The sea looks back at our homeland, so beautiful
Truly magical, my love, it's astonishing!

Before my eyes, everything shines bright
The islands, the sea, the land, and the mountains
The flesh and blood of our ancestors built these shores
Our homeland, VIETNAM, MY BELOVED FATHERLAND.

11/5/2018 Chu Long

AUTUMN COMES

Author: Chu Long

The golden sun, the gentle breeze
My heart sighs, remembering the past summer's heat
A hint of sadness lingers with each petal
As the red Phoenix flowers have passed, leaving only memories.

Now, there’s just an empty space
The garden trees shedding their yellow leaves
Autumn stands at the doorstep
With soft purple clouds drifting in the vast sky.

The autumn sun gently caresses the fields
Turning the riverbanks to a golden hue
The meadow hums with young calves grazing
The slow, graceful steps of autumn fading into the distance.

The sky is a deep blue above
The fragrance of chrysanthemums fills the air
My sister's eyes shine bright
As she holds the whole of autumn in her gaze.

Poem by Chu Long

REMEMBER... REMEMBER...

Author: Chu Long

I remember that afternoon when someone brought
A piece of the sky, bathed in soft sunlight, filled with the scent of home
I remember that night when someone returned
Bringing a glowing moon, with passion, casting it into
The garden where ripe fruits hung sweetly
The branches swayed, leaves rustled, calling out.

So many memories... Oh, how deeply I remember
The scent that lingers and makes the heart drift
Hands gently holding a peach blossom
Its petals trembling, the stamen waiting for the morning dew
I remember that night when the moon hung bright
A boat drifted on the still lake, its oar quietly falling.
Poem by Chu Long

MOTHER STILL WAITS FOR HER CHILD
Author: Chu Long

Although the war has passed
The old thatched roof remains, simple and humble
The family table, with a small shrine
The faded photograph lying on it.

The oil lamp flickers in the dark
The incense smoke mixes with the golden glow of the thatched roof.

A bowl of rice, salt, chili, and lime
Boiled sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables grown by mother’s hands.

Eat, my child, to warm your heart
May this ease the sorrow in mine
As I watch the smoke rise gently
In my heart, you will always stay

My aging eyes grow weary
Bent shoulders, waiting for you to come home
Your figure lost in the distant hills
Never returning to visit me, or the old village.

Mother, alone in her old age
Waiting for her child, as spring fades away.
June 19, 2018, Chu Long

I APOLOGIZE TO MOTHER
Author: Chu Long

Each morning, I watch the rhythm of your steps
As you slowly exit from the door to the yard
Each day passes, and your pace grows slower
And I feel the daylight slowly fading away.

Deep in my heart, a wound seems to be widening
And I feel uneasy and lost inside
If tomorrow, your shadow turns to golden light
Would I be guilty? Would I carry this sin forever?

How many times have I asked you, Mother
Do you feel tired? Are you weary?
Last night, did you sleep soundly?
Did you enjoy your meals, my dear Mother?

Time, please slow down gently
So that I can stay with you as much as possible
If I could trade half of my life for one thing
It would be for your health and happiness, Mother
I apologize, Mother ...
April 16, 2016 Chu Long

REMEMBERING THE SHADOW OF FATHER
Author: Chu Long
(Written on Father's Day)

I return and look upon the plowed fields
Where the imprint of Father's shadow still lingers from yesterday
A life full of storms, rain, and hardship
Winter's cold deepens the muddy fields.

The summer sun scorches the brow
But from it, we get the grains soaked in sweat
The effort of the hands mixes with the salty soil
Feeding the plants to grow and bloom in the spring.

Now that I’ve grown, Father has passed
But his spirit remains with me, my dear child
I remember his words, urging me to become someone better
To cultivate my heart with the wisdom of Heaven and Earth.

The virtue of filial piety, remember it well
With a peaceful heart, full of happiness and blessings
The teachings of my father, countless as they are
I will forever keep them in my heart.

With my hands clasped, I bow before our ancestors
I apologize and express my deep gratitude to my beloved father.
June 17, 2018 Chu Long