Top 10 Beautiful Poems by the Poet Băng Sơn

Funeral Poem

By Băng Sơn

My diary will be the eulogy for you
Each stroke of ink, blood flowing
It's better if we never meet again
Than to meet and remain silent

Source: Liêu Trai Nights (published in the collection 'Poems for Two People'), Culture Publishing House, 1992

The Loc Vung Flower

By Băng Sơn

Suddenly, this afternoon, the north wind blows
The lake's surface turns red, like blood falling from a tree
Unspoken thoughts drift with the waves
The birds of the blooming season have lost their flock.

Source: Liêu Trai Nights (published in the collection 'Poems for Two People'), Culture Publishing House, 1992

Shadow

By Băng Sơn

I walk beneath the trees in peaceful sleep
The lights of Hanoi embrace me with love
The shadow stretches long
The shadow rounds again
The shadow follows me
As I watch the shadows intersect, my heart asks
Is this my shadow alone - or the shadow of my love?

Source: Liêu Trai Nights (published in the collection 'Poems for Two People'), Culture Publishing House, 1992

If

By Băng Sơn

One hand is that of a ghost, one hand is yours, a goddess
Both Nirvana and Hell reside within you
If I could choose, I would be the devotee
To meditate with you, chanting the sutra of love.

Source: Liêu Trai Nights (published in the collection 'Poems for Two People'), Culture Publishing House, 1992

Meeting a Friend

Poem by Bang Son

You have gone far away
Thousands of miles under the sun
Thought distance would make us grow apart
But tonight, I meet you again.

Outside, the night brings change
The spring leaves bid farewell with lingering thoughts
The crickets sing as if whispering
A sigh of longing.

The late-night light. I am alone
With the poetry you left behind
My shadow still on the page
I imagine you by my side.

The poem carries joy
When we were young with green hair
It also carries sorrow
The time when we parted ways.

The page becomes a cup
Pouring the soul’s wine in my hands
The wind blows, leaves drifting down
Falling, falling, falling.

Meeting you in solitude
While you have gone, my feelings remain
The night weaves with my emotions
The crickets sing, full of yearning.

The melody lingers quietly
Perhaps it’s for the one left alone
Your shadow shakes in the light
A faraway rooster crows...

1981

Source: The poetry collection "Friendship and Love" published in 1987

Midnight Wind

Poem by Bang Son

At midnight, I light a candle to summon the spirits
The rain follows, flickering in the haze
The wind howls violently at the doorframe
I sit alone, listening to the solitude as spring departs.

Source: "Liêu Trai Night" (included in the poetry collection "Poetry for Two"), Published by Văn Hoá Publishing House, 1992

The Sea's Love

Poetry by Băng Sơn

I know the sea does not keep my promises
Like waves that form only to disappear
Like light that shifts from pink to violet
Like clouds that fade away into nothingness.

I know the sea does not keep my promises
For millions have come to it
Each carrying a vow, a longing
Taking the sea with them for all their days.

I know the sea does not keep my promises
Just as it doesn't hold onto the words of the past
But the salty water, dissolved into the ocean
Represents the love of voices that echo from afar.

And I know the vastness of the sea's heart
Its sound may fade, but its love remains forever.

1979
Source: Hương cỏ biển (published in the collection "Nắng bên sông"), NXB Tác phẩm mới, 1984.

Waking in the Dead of Night

Poetry by Băng Sơn

The lamp flickers as the wind stirs
The sound of rustling leaves calls out love from the trees
The dead of night is the beginning of the new day
The leaves tremble with cold as the solitary figure shares the night.

Source: Đêm Liêu Trai (published in the collection Poems for Two), NXB Văn hoá, 1992.

Maple Leaves

Poem by Băng Sơn

The maple flutters red leaves.
The wind carries them away.
Twisting through the grassy path.
Morning mist falls all around.

Do you remember, my dear?
The days when we held hands.
The summer breeze in your hair.
Love as green as the trees.

Do you remember, my dear?
The fruits of autumn's sweet delight.
The fragrance fills the air.
My heart floats in its light.

Do you remember, my dear?
Spring buds brighten the day.
We two as one shadow.
Sunlight in the garden's play...

Winter’s chill has come again
And the trees are growing thin.
The old garden's grassy paths.
My heart aches with longing.

I wait for spring to return.
To bring you back to me.
The maple will bloom again.
Green grass will line our way.

The maple flutters red leaves.
The wind carries them away.
Just like my love calling out.
Do you hear it, my dear....

The Night of Ghost Stories

Poetry by Băng Sơn

At midnight, I read Ghost Stories
My soul wanders, weeds growing
The wind blows, doors creak
Thorns cast shadows on the wall

The sound of a rooster echoes, trembling in the mist...

Source: The Night of Ghost Stories (published in the collection Poetry for Two), Cultural Publishing House, 1992