Buzz
1. Analysis of the Poem 'The Stork' by Che Lan Vien - Part 4
2. Analytical essay on the poem "The Stork" by Che Lan Vien #5
Che Lan Vien is one of the most renowned poets in Vietnamese literature. His works, written both before and after the August Revolution, are deeply philosophical, showcasing intellectual beauty and rich symbolic imagery. The poem "The Stork" is one of his masterpieces.
The title of the poem itself carries a profound meaning. The image of the stork evokes a beautiful and familiar connection to the rural villages of Vietnam, with white storks soaring across the vast rice fields: "The stork flies softly, flying from the gate of the palace to the field." The stork also reminds us of the lullabies heard by every child, sung by their mothers or grandmothers. Most importantly, it symbolizes the sacred and enduring motherly love that follows a child throughout their life.
The poem is structured in three clear sections, each like a chapter or movement: Part 1 introduces the image of the stork through the mother's lullaby to the child’s childhood; Part 2 depicts the stork accompanying the child throughout life; and Part 3 uses the stork to express deep reflections on the sacred nature of motherhood. The stork first comes to the child's early years gently and sweetly through the mother's lullaby:
"The stork flies softly"
The stork flies softly
The stork at the gate of the palace,
The stork in Dong Dang…"
This verse consists of only four words, with the image of the stork repeated four times at the beginning of each line, creating a rhythmic and gentle flow that evokes the warmth and tenderness of a mother’s love. Through the stork in the mother's lullaby, the child’s world is gradually revealed, offering them the chance to explore their homeland.
In another dimension, the mother also shows the child the image of the storks’ tireless struggle, their loneliness as they navigate life: “The stork alone, must find its own food.” “The stork eats at night, the stork leaves the nest, the stork encounters a soft branch, the stork fears the bamboo being shaken…” These are storks without the protection of a mother, struggling to survive and facing numerous difficulties. The verse expresses deep sympathy for the stork’s unfortunate fate while praising its purity and resilience, even in the face of death, it seeks to remain pure.
Furthermore, it is a praise for the love and sacrifice of the mother for her child. The poet contrasts the hardships of the storks with the image of a child being protected and loved by the mother: “The child has a mother, playing and then sleeping,” “If the branch is soft, the mother’s hand will be there to support,” “With plenty of mother’s milk, the child sleeps peacefully.”
This highlights the profound love of the mother for her child. The sweet lullaby calms all worries and fears, allowing the child to rest peacefully. The child’s early years are full of happiness, surrounded by the love of the mother’s lullaby.
In the second part, the stork is connected with the child throughout the peaceful, happy childhood: “Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully / So the white stork can come greet you / The stork stands around the cradle / Then the stork returns to its nest. / When you sleep peacefully, the stork sleeps too / The stork’s wings cover both of us.” The repetition of “sleep peacefully” three times creates a soothing rhythm, with the gentle hands of the mother nurturing the child’s sleep.
By personifying the stork, making it “greet” and “stand around the cradle,” the poet makes the stork more vivid and intimate, like a close companion to the child. Even as the child grows, the stork continues to accompany them, following the child to school, nurturing their dreams. The repetition of the phrase “growing up” along with lines that express the mother’s feelings shows that the mother is always by the child’s side, sharing their hopes and aspirations.
The mother wishes for the child to become a poet, a person with a delicate soul, a love for beauty, and a compassionate heart. The stork also represents the mother, who will follow the child throughout life. After expressing the deep love for the child, the poet concludes with a reflection on the meaning of the lullaby.
Whether near or far from you
Whether in the mountains or the sea,
The stork will find you
The stork will always love you
No matter how big you grow, you are still my child,
Throughout your life, my heart will always follow you.
The image of the stork represents the infinite love of a mother. The poet uses contrasting images: near – far; mountains – sea, to illustrate the challenges the child will face in life, yet the mother’s devotion is unwavering, always by the child’s side. The final two lines express the enduring and deep love of the mother, symbolized by the stork.
From this, Che Lan Vien encapsulates a timeless rule about motherhood: no matter how much the child grows, matures, or succeeds intellectually or morally, in the heart of the mother, the child will always remain her little one, in need of protection and love. The final verse also affirms that the mother is a stable haven, a peaceful refuge amidst the storms of life. The closing verses of the poem are a sweet lullaby, guiding the child into a peaceful sleep while carrying deep philosophical meanings about life and motherhood.
The poem, written in free verse, allows the poet to fully express his emotions in a natural and flexible way. The unique imagery and symbolic meanings are richly woven, and the use of folk elements plays a crucial role in the success of the poem.
By skillfully using the folk image of the stork, Che Lan Vien has expressed the profound significance of motherhood in every person’s life. The poem is also a gentle yet profound reminder for everyone to cherish this sacred bond and to repay the love and care of their parents.
3. An analysis of Che Lan Vien's poem "The Stork" No. 6
Che Lan Vien is a poet with a unique style, blending intellectual depth with rich lyricism. He made significant contributions to 20th-century Vietnamese literature, and his poem "The Stork" is one of his masterpieces, leaving a lasting impact on readers.
The poem features the familiar image of the stork, a symbol often found in the folk songs and lullabies of the Vietnamese people. It is closely associated with the loving lullaby of a mother, celebrating the sacred bond between mother and child and highlighting the deep emotional impact these lullabies have on a person’s soul.
The stork is frequently used as a metaphor for the farmer, but in this poem, it also symbolizes the mother—tireless, hardworking, and self-sacrificing for her children. The stork becomes a powerful symbol, explored in a unique and poignant way:
"The stork in my mother's arms,
I don’t yet know the stork,
But in my mother’s song,
I see the stork’s wings fly:
The stork flies softly,
The stork glides gently,
The stork at the palace gate,
The stork of Dong Dang…"
These lines evoke the familiar lullaby sung by mothers and grandmothers. Che Lan Vien uses these lyrics to illustrate the symbolic meaning of the stork. The setting is one of a mother soothing her child to sleep with a tender lullaby, introducing the child to the image of the stork, which they will come to know and love as they grow:
"The stork alone must find its food,
The child has a mother, who plays, then sleeps.
The stork feeds at night,
The stork leaves its nest,
The stork encounters soft branches,
The stork fears the bamboo being shaken…"
The stork’s struggle to find food in the night, from rich fields to barren lands, contrasts with the child’s peaceful life, where everything is taken care of by the mother. The lullaby reveals the hardships of the stork while also highlighting the mother as a reliable protector, always there to shelter her child. The lullaby continues:
"Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!
Stork, do not fear!
If the branch is soft, I’ll lift you gently!
In my lullaby, the breath of spring flows,
Though you don’t yet know the soft branches I sing of,
With plenty of mother’s milk, you sleep soundly."
The lullaby is full of warmth and affection. The image of the stork is always present in the mother’s soothing words, marking the beginning of a child’s emotional journey. Though the child is still small, they can intuitively sense the love and care conveyed through the lullaby. The stork starts as an imagined companion, a figure rooted in the child’s reflections. Over time, the stork becomes a lifelong friend:
"Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!
Let the white stork come to greet you,
The stork stands around the cradle,
Then the stork stays by the nest.
If you sleep peacefully, the stork sleeps too.
Our wings will cover us both."
The stork becomes a constant companion, a figure that stays with the child from infancy to adulthood. Just as the mother stays by the child’s side, the stork represents the mother’s unwavering love and watchful presence. The gentle, heartfelt verse continues:
"Whether near or far from you,
Whether in the mountains or the sea,
The stork will find you,
The stork will always love you."
This expresses the mother’s deep and sincere devotion, always caring for her child. From this, the poet distills a universal truth about a mother’s love for her child—one that is eternal:
"Even when you grow up, you’ll still be my child,
Throughout your life, my heart will always follow you."
The mother’s love is vast, immeasurable, and endless. The poem’s conclusion, with its gentle cadence, encapsulates the meaning of the stork in the mother’s lullaby:
"Ah, sing!"
A single stork,
In the lullaby my mother sang,
Is a reflection of life.
Sleep, sleep!
Let the stork’s wings sing,
Let the whole sky sing
Around your cradle."
The poem was written with a unique artistic style. Using free verse, the poet easily conveys natural, vivid emotions. The poem serves as both a lullaby and a philosophical reflection on life. “The Stork” is a lullaby deeply imbued with maternal love, reminding readers of their childhood, the stork that once accompanied them, and the peaceful dreams of their early years.
4. An analysis of Che Lan Vien's poem "The Stork" No. 7
As a Vietnamese, who hasn’t carried with them, even if just a little, the warmth of lullabies and the soft words of love sung by their mother? Anyone born with the Vietnamese blood surely has a part of their childhood that remains pure and innocent, fluttering on the wings of the stork that soar through deep, nostalgic memories of the soul.
Che Lan Vien was no different. He, too, is a Vietnamese, his blood running with the name of Lac Hong, and perhaps that is why, in his poetry, whether it’s philosophical contemplation or intellectual pondering, we still hear the lullabies of his mother, the fierce warmth of childhood memories, and the gentle beat of the stork’s wings in the breeze. And "The Stork" is a perfect reflection of such a poetic soul.
“The stork cradled in my hands”
“I did not know what the stork’s wings were”
“But in my mother’s song”
“I heard the stork’s wings fluttering.”
It’s so natural, the mother sees her child is still too small, still needing to be cradled in her arms. The child doesn’t yet know what the white wings of the stork are, nor does the child understand the world around them. But even in their unconsciousness, the child seems to sense the white wings of the stork coming towards them, feeling the sweet and pure melody of the lullaby.
The stork flutters”
The stork flutters gently”
The stork flies past the gate”
The stork of Dong Dang”
The poet doesn’t quote all the folk songs, only alluding to them, yet the atmosphere is vividly restored, bringing us back to a distant, serene place. It’s a place with storks, with images that have deeply embedded themselves in the collective consciousness of countless generations. In that place, we still hear the struggles of life, the hardships of farmers, especially the Vietnamese women—sisters and mothers—whose love for their children is endless, ready to sacrifice everything, even their own lives, just to ensure their children grow up with dignity.
The lullaby of the mother is no longer just a song for the baby, it’s the heartfelt words of a compassionate, forgiving heart. Sometimes the mother is filled with love for her child, other times for the stork, a life that is fragile yet enduring. Even though the lullaby carries all these emotions, the child still sleeps peacefully, embraced in the love of their mother’s song. The memory of the past slowly fades away, bringing us back to the present, to the mother and the child:
Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Little stork, don’t be afraid!
The stork’s wings are soft, mother’s hands are ready to support you.
Where the lullaby was once soft and distant, it now seems so tender, so earnest, soothing and uplifting the soul. The poet approaches the realm of ultimate truth, where one discovers a simple yet profound realization that the love of a mother is eternal, always present in our lives:
No matter how grown-up you are, you are always my child
Throughout your life, my love will follow you.
The word “though,” the word “always,” it couldn’t be more definitive. It’s as obvious as life itself. Even when you grow up, no matter how mature you become, to your mother, you will always remain her child. Your presence is like the warmth of the sun to her heart, and she will always love you with a love that follows you through life’s journey.
This is what motherly love is like, vast and boundless, and the lullaby is so gentle, so full of love. It’s something you’ll carry throughout your life, but can you ever truly understand it? The entire universe of a mother’s love is embedded in that lullaby, all of her protection, her tenderness, and her ever-present affection:
We go through the entirety of our lives
And still, we have not fully grasped the depth of our mother’s lullaby (Nguyen Duy)
Poet Nguyen Duy wrote these lines because, through his own experience, he understood the boundless love of a mother for her child. As for Che Lan Vien, he found in the stork’s love, soaring from the lullaby, a sacred philosophy that can touch the deepest recesses of the soul.
Perhaps, when the poet understood the truth he had been searching for all his life, he had to hold back tears from overflowing his eyes, as he wrote what he had kept inside for so long—the realization that a mother’s love is eternal and indestructible, always there in our lives. A mother’s heart is vast, endless, always holding our hearts in her embrace.
For the mother, the child is the warmth of life, the very reason for existence, the greatest happiness and love she can receive. We can only express it this way because this immutable law speaks for itself, explaining all the profound things in life. The symbol of a mother’s love is sacred, and the symbol of life is warm:
À ơi
Just one stork
Mother’s song
Is life itself
Flapping wings above the cradle
A mother’s love will follow the child through all the years, becoming the baggage that accompanies the child as they step into the world. The child will walk with great faith because “the white stork flies along with the child’s footsteps.” The wings of childhood will carry the child’s beautiful dreams, taking them to distant horizons. Just like the stork in Tran Dang Khoa’s poem, bringing sunlight to awaken a new day: “The white stork carries the sunlight across the river…”
The stork in Che Lan Vien’s poetry can awaken the whole sky of sparkling dreams, for the child to have a bright future filled with endless possibilities. And among all the dazzling colors, there remains a gentle hue of love, the color of motherhood, a love passed on to the child. Gone are the fears of old, now only the gentle wings of the stork, safe in the embrace of the mother.
The child and the stork have merged into each other in the warm embrace of love. Just like that, the child sleeps soundly in the boundless love of the mother, in her protection and care, which contain an endless affection. The child receives the love and the lullaby, unconsciously carrying it throughout their life.
The lullaby is the first drop of honey the mother pours into her baby’s life, filled with love and the essence of the earth and sky. The child sleeps peacefully, asleep in the love of the mother, sleeping in the love of the vast heavens granted to all angels, to all little souls. And even when:
“The child doesn’t know the stork, doesn’t know the vulture”
The child doesn’t understand the soft branches mother sings about”
“With plenty of milk from mother, the child sleeps soundly without a care”
Mother still calls the child, still reminds the child of her love. The repetition of those loving words is a message, a heartfelt expression of love. The stork and the vulture fly, the love that never ends. Does the child understand the mother’s love? Well, never mind, sleep peacefully, my dear, for there is nothing as peaceful as your sleep in the loving lullaby.
The stork arrives, in the lullaby of childhood, so gentle, so soft, and yet it stays with us, travels through all the long journeys, steadfast and enduring, just like the most reliable pillar in our lives: “Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!” The mother’s lullaby rocks the child to sleep, sweet and serene, just like the mother’s love, always nurturing the child’s life. And the stork, from some distant land, returns with the lullaby, carrying all the warmth and love back to the child’s peaceful sleep:
The stork comes to greet you
The stork stands around the cradle, then enters the nest
When the child sleeps soundly, the stork sleeps too
This is the eternal truth of motherhood, of the lullaby. No need for profound sayings or carefully crafted words; gently, simply, the poet touches the depths of the reader’s soul:
“Whether near or far”
“Up the mountain or across the sea”
The stork will find you
The stork will always love you”
We ask ourselves, can there be any love more sincere, more passionate than this? A love that transcends all barriers, reaching across vast distances, uniting hearts even before meeting. Oh, the love of a mother… perhaps it is more sacred than anything else. No matter where you are, no matter the circumstances, the mother’s love, like the stork, will always be by your side, always searching for you, always warming your heart, giving you strength and confidence in life.
In truth, the child is still so small, still sleeping peacefully in the cradle of childhood, but the mother’s dream of a beautiful future for her child burns eternally in her heart, a dream she shares with the child as they journey through life. The mother speaks to herself, reflecting on her love for her child:
“Grow up, grow up, grow up…”
What will you do?”
You will be a poet
The white stork will continue to fly without resting
Before the house
And in the cool breeze of your verses…”
Never before has a mother’s dream been so burning, so heartfelt. She dreams and sends her dream into her child’s steps, trusting that they will walk the path of life with the same hope and courage that she has in them. The mother wonders and answers herself, “I want my child to be a poet, to bring beauty into the world through verses about us, about life, about the world that nurtures us.” She wants her child’s life to remain as beautiful as the most perfect poem.
5. An analysis of the poem "The Stork" by Che Lan Vien, Part 8
The image of the stork has long been a familiar symbol in Vietnam's rural landscape, deeply rooted in the nation's culture. It is frequently found in folk songs and poetry, representing the hardworking and resilient spirit of Vietnamese people, especially women. Inspired by the sacred bond between mother and child, poet Che Lan Vien drew from these folk traditions to write his poem 'The Stork,' which celebrates the profound love and struggles of mothers raising their children.
'The Stork' was written in 1962 and published in the poetry collection 'Flowers, Everyday – Storm Herald Birds' in 1967. In this poem, the stork becomes a symbol of maternal love and the hopes a mother holds for her young child, conveyed through the lullaby and folk songs that have long shaped Vietnam's culture.
The stork in the poem carries multiple layers of symbolism, transforming within the melody of the lullaby. It represents purity, the hardships of the past, the hopes for the future, and, most profoundly, a mother’s unending love for her helpless child. This symbolism is adaptable, making the stork an enduring image that resonates with readers across time and space.
The stork is not merely a static figure in the poem; it must come from a distant place. Che Lan Vien awakens the dormant stork, calling it through the lullaby held in the poet's heart. Through the mother's lullaby, the stork enters the magical world of the child. Gently, the mother whispers her love to the child:
"You’re still in my arms,
You don’t yet know the stork,
But in my song,
The stork’s wings are flying."
At this moment, the child does not understand the significance of the stork or the world around them. They passively accept life. But even without comprehension, the child feels the stork’s presence and hears the sweet, clear rhythm of the lullaby.
Though the child does not yet grasp the depth of a mother’s love, there is a vague sense of protection—a sacred and tender love. The stork flutters gently in the lullaby:
"The stork flies high,
The stork flies low,
The stork by the gate,
The stork in Dong Dang…"
"The stork must find its own food,
But you have your mother, who lets you play and rest."
"The stork flies at night,
Far from its nest,
It meets a soft branch,
But it fears disturbing the young shoots…"
Rest easy, little one! Don’t be afraid,
For the branch is soft, and I’m here to hold you!
In the warmth of my lullaby,
You don’t yet know the stork or the heron,
You don’t yet know the soft branches I sing about,
But with my milk, you sleep soundly without worry.
The poet does not quote the folk songs directly but only evokes their essence. In doing so, he brings a distant, peaceful world to life. This world is filled with storks and beautiful images that have been etched into the collective memory of countless generations. In this world, the resilience of the Vietnamese farmers, especially the women, mothers, and sisters, echoes. It also captures the deep love between mothers and their children.
The storks are willing to sacrifice everything for their children, even to the point of death, to "stir the clear water" and protect their child from harm. Though these are lullabies and folk songs transformed into modern poetry, the stork carries both sorrow and joy, evoking deep reflection. The mother sings to her child, blending the hardships of her life with the sweetness of her love:
In the hot winds of summer afternoons,
My mother sings to me with the grit of sand between her teeth.
Though the mother knows her child is too young to understand life, she sings to instill in them a love for their homeland and an awareness of her boundless love. At the same time, she reassures the child that they are safe, as seen in the line: "When the branch is soft, I will always hold you."
This verse stirs deep emotion, illustrating the unconditional nature of a mother’s love. As we grow, we still feel the presence of our mothers, sharing in our joys and sorrows:
Rest easy! Rest easy!
The stork will come to greet you,
It will stand beside your cradle,
And then return to its nest.
When you sleep soundly, so does the stork,
Its wings wrap around you and me.
When you grow older and go to school,
The stork’s white wings will follow your footsteps.
Growing up, growing up, growing up...
What will you become? A poet!
The stork’s white wings will always soar,
In front of the house,
And in the refreshing air of the written word...
The second verse can be divided into three stages, each illustrating the deep connection between the stork and the child’s life, from childhood to adulthood. The first stage represents the closeness between the stork and the child in early years. The stork “stands by the cradle” and “returns to its nest,” resting only when the child sleeps.
At this stage, the stork is no longer just a bird; it becomes a metaphor for the mother, who nurtures, protects, and cares for the child. As the child grows, the mother's love also evolves. In the second stage, "When you grow, the stork will take you to school, the white wings will follow your footsteps." This symbolizes the mother accompanying the child as they take their first steps in life.
As the child matures, the mother no longer holds their hand but walks alongside them, offering love and support. In the final stage, the stork—the mother—remains an indelible part of the child’s memory, nurturing their soul as they journey into adulthood. The image of the stork stays with the child forever, influencing every step of their life, no matter the path they choose.
The third verse emphasizes how the stork, as the mother, remains etched in the child's mind, becoming a source of inspiration for their success. Even as they grow older, the memory of their mother's love is a constant guiding force, no matter where they go or what they do. The simplicity of the verse resonates deeply with the reader, reminding them of the eternal, unconditional love of a mother:
No matter how far you go,
In the mountains or seas,
The stork will always find you,
The stork will always love you.
Even when you grow up, you will always be my child,
Through all your life, my love will always follow you.
Isn't this the voice of all mothers who have seen their children grow up, embark on their own journeys, and live their own lives? No matter where they are, mothers always extend their loving arms to protect their children, for “even when you grow up, you will always be my child.” Therefore, “through all your life, my love will always follow you.” No love is greater, deeper, or more eternal than a mother’s love for her child.
This is the nature of motherly love—vast and boundless, a lullaby that soothes, a love that children carry throughout their lives, even though they may never fully understand it. A mother pours all her love, care, and tenderness into her child's life. As poet Nguyễn Duy once wrote:
“I live my life fully,
But I will never comprehend the depths of my mother’s lullaby.”
The poem begins and ends with the same lullaby:
"Lullaby! Just one stork,"
The stork in the song
Is also life’s journey
Flapping its wings around the cradle.
Sleep well! Sleep well!
For the stork, the heron,
And the whole sky
Sing around your cradle.
At this point, the lullaby has become so full of motherly love, reminding us of the deep, sacred bond between mother and child. The words "sleep well," "the stork and the heron," and "the cradle" all evoke cherished memories of early childhood, an indelible mark in every person’s heart.
Che Lan Vien wrote this poem with deep reflection on the sanctity of motherhood. Through soft, polished language, he conveys a profound respect for the image of the mother. The poem invites us to reflect on the meaning of maternal love and its significance in our lives, reminding us of the responsibility we carry before the boundless, loving heart of our mothers and our country today.
Through 'The Stork' and other works in 'Flowers, Everyday – Storm Herald Birds,' Light, and Silt, we gain a deeper appreciation of the “pages of life, pages of writing, burdened with the meaning of future generations,” as expressed by poet Che Lan Vien.
6. Analytical Essay on the Poem 'The Stork' by Che Lan Vien, Number 9
Che Lan Vien is a renowned poet in the New Poetry movement, with over forty years of creative work, producing many celebrated poetry collections that resonated with the public. The poem 'The Stork' was written in 1962. This poem is like a tender lullaby, warm and filled with the deep affection that a mother conveys to her child.
The lullaby has long been embedded in the subconscious and childhood of every person. With free verse and simple language, the poem enters the reader's heart softly and profoundly. The poem opens with the image of the stork through a mother's lullaby, welcoming the child into their early years:
The child is still cradled in the mother's arms
The child doesn't yet know the stork
But in the mother's song
There are stork wings flying.
Through the use of 'mother' and 'child', the poet takes on the role of the mother speaking to the child. The poet introduces a small child, being cradled and sleeping peacefully in the warmth of love, under the soothing lullaby of the mother:
The stork is flying
…..
The stork flies here
The stork flies away
The stork by the gates
The stork of Dong Dang.
The lullaby evokes images of rice fields, streets, and specific landmarks of Vietnamese homeland. The poet also brings forth the image of the mother stork – a metaphor that beautifully links to the hardworking people. By using the image of the stork, the poet speaks about humanity. Che Lan Vien's poetry makes us reflect on the creative application of folk songs.
The stork is alone, it must hunt for its food,
The child has a mother, the child plays and then sleeps.
The stork eats at night,
The stork is far from its nest,
The stork encounters soft branches,
The stork is afraid of disturbed bamboo shoots…
The poet creatively uses folk lyrics, selecting certain words to evoke. The stork, when hunting at night, encounters an accident and dies, but even in death, it still loves its child, wishing to die in purity, not in a way that would tarnish its child's reputation. This reflects the mother's love, always wanting the best for the child, no matter the circumstance.
The mother loves the stork in folk songs, the love she pours out for her child. The gentle arms of the mother shield the child, the lullabies, and the sweet breast milk nurture the child to grow. The maternal love expressed through the verses is deeply moving and profound. The rhythm of the poem, like the rhythm of a mother's comforting embrace, shows boundless love.
Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Oh stork, don't be afraid!
Though the branch is soft, I am ready to lift you!
In the mother's lullaby, filled with spring's warmth,
The child doesn’t yet know the stork, the heron,
The child doesn't yet know the soft branches in the mother’s song,
With plenty of milk, the child sleeps soundly without worry.
The repetition of 'sleep peacefully,' 'the child doesn't know,' and 'the stork' makes the poem's tone warm, sweet, and tender. The lullaby's rhythm flows smoothly as the phrase 'sleep peacefully!' is repeated three times in the second stanza – as the mother speaks of her child's childhood friendship with the white stork. The poet truly loves children as he lets the mother sing:
… Let the white stork come to meet the child
The stork stands by the cradle
Then the stork goes into its nest.
If the child sleeps peacefully, the stork also sleeps.
And it's so beautiful, the image of the stork and the child sleeping together in the nest like two small angels: 'The stork's wings, the two of us cover together.'
Watching the sleeping child, the mother's heart overflows with hope: the child will grow up and go to school:
When you grow up, you will follow the stork to school
The white stork’s wings fly behind your footsteps.
When you grow up, you will become a poet. Your life will be full of creativity, tirelessly diligent, 'flying endlessly without rest.' The image of the white stork flying... represents the mother's beautiful dream for the child’s future. The child will follow the father's aspirations. A question arises for the loving mother:
Grow up, grow up, grow up...
What will you do?
You will become a poet
The white stork will continue flying, never resting
Before the house's porch
And in the cool breeze of the verses...
Whether you become a poet or not, you will choose a profession that benefits the world, the white stork of childhood will always accompany the mother’s lullaby, walking with you throughout your long life... In the final stanza, the lullaby of the mother, her song, rises. Through the image of the stork in the lullaby, the poet speaks of maternal love and life.
Whether near or far from you,
Whether climbing mountains or crossing seas,
The stork will find you,
The stork will always love you.
Even when you are grown, you will still be your mother’s child,
Throughout your life, your mother’s heart will follow you.
The words 'whether' and 'still' are repeated, confirming the enduring, unwavering maternal love. What is higher than the mountains, deeper than the seas, and more expansive than a mother’s love for her child? The final two lines of the stanza deeply philosophize about a mother’s heart. Indeed, with every step we take in life, our mother is always there, ready to lift us up when we fall, helping us continue on our path. Oh, the love of our mothers!
The last ten lines of the poem are imbued with lyrical philosophy. Thinking of the stork in folk songs, reflecting on the future of the child, the mother contemplates the fate of the small, fragile storks in both the past and present.
A lullaby!
Just one stork,
The stork the mother sings about
Is also life
Wings fluttering through the cradle.
Could it be that the loving mother is pondering the stork in these old songs, thinking about life:
The stork that went out at night to eat
Landed on a soft branch and fell into the pond
Grandfather, oh grandfather, fish me out
If I have any wrongdoings, please wash it away
If there is washing, let it be clear water
Don’t wash with murky water, it breaks my heart.
It’s better to die in purity than live in impurity, this is the wisdom of life that has been revered through the ages.
Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!
For the stork and the heron,
For the entire sky
To sing
Around the cradle.
The poem ends with the image of a peaceful, serene, and happy life for the child... The poem 'The Stork' carries the melody of a lullaby, with its rhythm and tone gently sinking into the soul of folk songs, soft and tender. The fifty-one free verse lines, the shortest being two words, and the longest eight words, interwoven, form a lullaby that is sweet and profound, filled with deep meaning: The poem celebrates the boundless and profound love of mothers, honoring a life full of human kindness. The poem speaks to us: Everyone, think of the children. Maternal love is truly sacred and noble!
7. Analytical Essay on the Poem "The Stork" by Che Lan Vien No. 10
The stork, a central figure in this poem, is drawn from traditional folk songs and has been developed by the author into a symbol of a mother’s deep love, as well as the powerful significance of lullabies in shaping a child’s life.
This is an analysis of Che Lan Vien’s poem, "The Stork".
The poem begins with the image of the stork through the lullabies of mothers and grandmothers—women from rural villages, working tirelessly and selflessly, and using folk songs to lull their children to sleep.
“The stork flies softly, flying so slow
From the palace gate to the fields below
The stork flies gently, flying in a flow
From the palace gate back to Dong Dang's glow…”
These storks fly leisurely over endless rice fields, heading toward peaceful thatched homes. This imagery evokes a simple, tranquil life, from the countryside to the town, slow and calm with few disturbances. It represents the beloved homeland, with the stork flying freely across its vast expanse. The stork is an emblem of the Vietnamese countryside, delicate and graceful, perhaps even the very soul of the homeland that a mother sends to her child in dreams.
The stork in the mother’s lullaby also conveys the image of “The stork hunts at night, far from home, landing on a soft branch, then falling into the pond.” This presents a life of hardship, as seen in the folk song:
“The stork that hunts in the night
Perches on a soft branch, falls into the pond’s light
Oh, kindly help me, rescue me from the fall
Don’t disturb the bamboo shoot, I meant no harm at all”
Or the folk verse:
“The stork struggles by the river’s side
Carrying rice to feed the husband, her tears she cannot hide.”
This is no longer a carefree stork but one that symbolizes a mother’s tireless labor—working through hardship to support her family. It represents the peasants’ hard lives, made even more difficult when the stork meets a soft branch.
Through the mother’s lullaby, the image of the stork enters the child’s innocent mind. It marks the beginning of their emotional and spiritual journey, as lullabies and folk songs bring forth the collective spirit of the people. As a child, one doesn’t need to fully grasp the meaning of these songs:
“You don’t yet know the stork or the crane
You don’t yet know the soft branches mother sings of again.”
Children only need the comforting, gentle melody of a lullaby, instinctively absorbing the love and care their mother offers: “With plenty of milk, you’ll sleep without worry.” The rhythmic, gentle cadence, combined with personification and simile, deepens the poetic meaning. The poem closes with a peaceful image of life, as the child sleeps soundly.
The stork, through its sweet lullaby, becomes a close companion to the child, traveling with them through life. From the lullaby, the stork enters the child’s world, and soon, it becomes a dear, familiar friend.
When the child is in the cradle, “When you sleep peacefully, the stork sleeps too. The stork’s wings cover both of us.” When the child goes to school, “As you grow, the stork will accompany you to school. Its white wings follow your footsteps.” And when the child matures, “The stork’s wings continue to fly, never resting, in front of the house, and within the cool breeze of the words.”
Thus, the stork becomes the most loyal companion, always by the child’s side from the cradle to school, from the house to the words on the page. The stork seems to follow each of the child’s dreams and desires. The stork, therefore, is a symbol of the mother’s love—nurturing, supporting, and guiding the child, hoping they will grow to love their homeland.
The stork also embodies the unyielding love of a mother, remaining with her child throughout life: From understanding the depth of a mother’s heart, the poet distills a profound, enduring emotional truth: “No matter how grown you are, you will always be my child. Through all of life, my love will always follow you.” This verse is full of wisdom and philosophy, the philosophy of the heart. The repetition of “no matter” and “still” affirms the eternal bond of motherhood. What is greater than the mountains? What is deeper than the seas? What is vaster than a mother’s love?
“Whether near or far from you
Whether in the mountains or the sea
The stork will find you
The stork will always love you
No matter how grown you are, you’ll always be my child
Through life, my love will always follow you
Ah, lullaby!
Just one stork
The stork that mother sings
Is life itself
Flapping its wings over the cradle
Sleep now, sleep now!
For the stork, for the crane
For the whole sky
To sing
Around the cradle”
The poem closes with a return to the lullaby’s melody, capturing the stork’s image within those lullabies: “Just one stork. The stork that mother sings. It is life itself. Flapping its wings over the cradle.” Indeed, the stork in the mother’s lullaby holds countless lessons and meanings about life. These lessons reach the child gently and profoundly through the tender melody of the lullaby. Without the lullaby, the child’s life would be impoverished.
The image of the stork, though familiar in Vietnamese poetry, has been brought to life in a new and uniquely Vietnamese way by Che Lan Vien. The stork becomes a companion and friend, guiding the child through peaceful dreams.
8. Analytical Essay on Che Lan Vien’s Poem "The Stork" - Part 1
For a long time, the bond between mother and child has inspired countless poets. This sacred and noble love has evoked deep emotions, not just in the author, but also in readers. Many works have beautifully captured this theme, and one of the most notable is "The Stork" by Che Lan Vien.
"The Stork" was written by Che Lan Vien in 1962 and published in the collection "Flowers, Everyday – Birds Signaling Storms." In this poem, the familiar image of the stork from folk songs is used to symbolize the immense and profound love of a mother. The poem begins with soft, tender verses:
“The stork still cradled in my arms
You don’t yet know the stork
But in mother’s lullaby
The stork’s wings are flying high
The stork flies gently
The stork soars calmly
The stork from the palace gate
The stork from Dong Dang”
These lines remind us of the image of a mother cradling her child in her arms, a warm and familiar feeling. It recalls the gentle lullabies of mothers and grandmothers, an essential part of childhood. In her song, the mother references the homeland, the golden rice fields, and the landmarks of the country.
It’s a love for the homeland, a sympathy for the hardships of life. Yet, the mother’s love extends beyond the stork’s struggles in folk songs; it also conveys her tender affection for her child:
“The stork must hunt for its food alone,
But you have a mother, you play and then sleep.”
For a long time, the stork has been a symbol of hardworking, diligent farmers. In this poem, Che Lan Vien evokes the stork’s tough life, illustrating its hardships, such as “the stork hunting at night, far from home, landing on a soft branch, only to fall.” The poet skillfully connects this image to that of a child who lives protected in the embrace of their parents. The mother gives her child the best, ensuring they grow up in peace and happiness:
“Sleep peacefully! Sleep soundly! Sleep well!
Even if the branch is soft, mother’s hand will lift you up!
In mother’s lullaby, you can feel the warmth of spring.
You don’t yet know the stork, nor the crane,
You don’t yet know the soft branches mother sings about
With plenty of milk, you’ll sleep without a care”
The repeated phrases “sleep peacefully,” “you don’t yet know,” and “the stork” create a warm, intimate feeling, evoking the deep love a mother has for her child.
From mother’s lullaby, the child grows up:
“As you grow, you’ll follow the stork to school,
The stork’s white wings will follow your feet.”
Whether as a child or as an adult, the mother always accompanies her child. Che Lan Vien cleverly uses the image of the stork to express the care and nurturing that a mother provides. The stork’s wings support the child’s journey.
The lullaby of the mother and the image of the stork help nurture the child, guiding them on every path. This becomes the foundation that nurtures the child’s soul, fostering their dreams:
“Grow up! Grow up! Grow up!
What will you become? A poet!
The white wings of the stork continue to fly, never stopping,
In front of the house, and in the cool breeze of words.”
The repetition of “grow up” and “child” speeds up the rhythm of the poem, reflecting the eager anticipation a mother feels for her child’s bright future. From this excitement, the poem shifts to deeper reflections:
“Whether near or far from you
Whether in the mountains or the sea
The stork will find you
The stork will always love you”
These lines affirm that no matter the struggles, no matter the difficulties, the mother will always be by her child’s side. She watches over every step, constantly supporting and protecting her child. Throughout the poem, we see the central image of the white, hard-working stork, yet beneath it lies the image of a mother whose love for her child is boundless and unwavering.
“No matter how grown you are, you will always be my child
Through all of life, my love will always follow you.”
These two lines carry an immense, sacred emotion. While the meaning is clear, the depth of feeling is infinite. The verse speaks not only of the sacred, noble bond of motherhood but also hints at the child’s gratitude towards their mother.
Reading Che Lan Vien’s "The Stork" feels like stepping into the world of familiar folk songs, reliving one’s childhood, and, most importantly, feeling the mother’s tender affection in each line, each word.
9. Analytical Essay on Che Lan Vien’s Poem "The Stork" - Part 2
"We live our entire human life,
But we can never fully understand the lullabies of our mothers."
(Sitting sadly, remembering my mother – Nguyen Duy)
Motherly love, an incredibly sacred and profound bond, has been a never-ending source of inspiration for generations of poets. A mother's warmth and vast love guide her child through life, offering solace when the child falls, while her love serves as the foundation for the child to confidently face the world. A mother's lullaby is deeply etched in a child's subconscious. In Che Lan Vien's poem, "The Stork," the familiar image of the stork from folk songs is expanded into a symbol of the boundless and deep love a mother holds for her child.
Che Lan Vien (1920–1989), whose real name was Phan Ngoc Hoan, was born in Quang Tri but raised in Binh Dinh. He is considered one of the outstanding poets of 20th-century Vietnamese literature. His poetry is known for its unique style and creativity, blending sharpness with philosophical depth and rich romantic lyricism. His works are full of vivid, diverse imagery, seamlessly combining elements of reality and imagination. "The Stork" was written in 1962 and published in the collection "Flowers of Daily Life – Storm-Chasing Birds" (1967).
In the opening lines of the poem, the gentle lullaby of the mother rises sweetly, like a magical invitation to sleep. The mother expresses her deep love and care for the stork, often depicted in folk songs as struggling through life's hardships. But in this poem, the mother offers a contrast: while the stork faces adversity alone, the child lives under the protective embrace of the mother:
"The stork must find its food alone,
The image of the stork, searching for food in the dead of night, is truly sorrowful. It is alone in the silent night, with no shelter or one to comfort it. The imagery of 'the stork eating at night, the stork far from its nest, the stork meeting a soft branch, the stork afraid of breaking the bamboo...' symbolizes the hard life of farmers, particularly women who toil from dawn to dusk, sacrificing so much for their loved ones. Yet, these struggles are deeply imbued with love and selflessness.
The child, however, has no need to worry, for the embrace of the mother protects and nurtures. A mother's love is immense—she sacrifices her own rest to sing her child to sleep, her eyes gazing lovingly at the child's peaceful face. The mother's embrace, the soft lullaby, and the sweet milk all represent the boundless maternal love:
"Sleep well! Sleep well! Don’t be afraid, stork!
If the branch is soft, I am ready to lift you up!
In my lullaby, the warmth of spring is felt.
You don’t yet know the stork, nor the soft branches I sing of,
But the milk of my love will make you sleep without worry."
The repeated use of the words "sleep well" and "you don’t know yet" brings a lively rhythm to the poem, adding warmth and tenderness. The rhythm mimics the rocking of a cradle, gently lulling the child to sleep. The following lines are filled with the mother's dreams and hopes for the child. When the child grows and leaves the mother's arms, she hopes the child will become a person who contributes to the world:
"When you grow, you will follow the stork to school,
The white wings of the stork will follow your every step."
As you grow, grow, grow...
What will you do? You will become a poet!
The white stork will continue to fly, never stopping,
In front of the house,
And in the fresh air of the words you write..."
Watching her child sleep soundly, the mother is filled with hope. She envisions the child growing up, going to school, and perhaps becoming a poet. Even the mere thought fills the mother’s heart with joy. The poet uses repetition of the phrases "grow," and "you" to quicken the poem’s rhythm, reflecting the mother’s eager anticipation of the child's bright future. The image of the "white stork" accompanying the child throughout life serves as a faithful companion, helping the child navigate life's trials and challenges.
The poem shifts from a joyful tone to one filled with reflection and philosophy. The final lines are profound, as they convey the unbroken bond of love a mother has for her child, no matter where life takes them:
"Whether near or far from you,
Whether in the mountains or the sea,
The stork will always find you,
The stork will forever love you."
The "stork" symbolizes a mother who, despite her hardships, never stops thinking about her child. No matter how difficult or far apart they may be, the mother’s love remains constant, protective, and ever-present. The use of repetition and contrasting imagery of "near-far" and "up-down" deepens the emotional impact, embedding these thoughts into the reader’s mind.
Motherly love is truly sacred, vast like the sea, unwavering even in the face of challenges. The mother's heart always follows the child throughout their life.
"No matter how old you grow, you will always be my child,
Even in death, my heart will always follow you."
Such love, so boundless and eternal, is beyond measure. No mountain is too high, no river too wide to compare with the depth of a mother’s love.
The lullaby is both the beginning and the end of the poem. Che Lan Vien creatively uses the symbol of the simple, yet profound, stork to depict the essence of maternal love, a love that is deeply connected to life’s simplicity yet rich in meaning:
"Ah, one stork only,
The stork that my mother sings,
Is also the life itself,
Flapping its wings above the cradle."
The lonely storks in the dark of night, the storks from ancient folk songs, evoke deep thoughts in the mother. She wonders about the child’s future—when they walk alone, without her, will they have the strength to face life’s difficulties and challenges? She also thinks of the fragile, precious storks, deserving of both compassion and respect.
Che Lan Vien’s "The Stork" is a masterful use of the stork’s symbolism to reflect on the deep and sacred nature of motherly love. It reminds us to cherish and appreciate the love of family, and to not let the folly of youth make us forget the true values of life.
10. An analysis of the poem "The Stork" by Che Lan Vien, Part 3
Che Lan Vien wrote the poem "The Stork" in 1962, which was later published in the collection *Flowers of Daily Life – Storm-Chasing Birds* (1967). This poem carries a rhythmic melody of folk songs, with its verses flowing smoothly like a lullaby, gently immersing the reader in the spirit of Vietnamese folklore. With 51 free verse lines, the shortest being just two words and the longest eight, the poem weaves together a lullaby full of love and the dreams of a mother for her child.
In the first stanza, the loving mother cradles her child in her arms and sings the lullaby: "The stork flies gently through the night... The stork goes out to forage at night..." She looks at her sleeping child, "My little one, still cradled in my arms, not yet understanding the stork's life", her heart overflowing with love. The mother pities the stork's hardships as sung in folk songs, yet she showers her own child with love and care. The child is content and safe within the mother’s embrace:
The stork must fend for itself,
But with mother, the child plays and then sleeps.
The mother gives her all: the tender care of her arms, the soothing lullaby of her voice, the sweet milk she provides. These artistic metaphors beautifully illustrate the vast, boundless love of motherhood. The rhythm of the poem mirrors the rocking of a cradle, gently swaying to soothe the child:
Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!
The branch may bend, but mother’s hands are there to lift you!
In my lullaby, the breath of spring is felt.
You don't know the stork, nor the soft branches I sing about,
But with a mother's milk, you sleep without a care.
The repetition of "sleep peacefully", "you don't know", and "the stork" in various forms creates a warm, sweet, tender rhythm, embodying the mother’s affectionate lullaby. In the second stanza, the mother continues her song, her heart full of hopes and dreams for her child:
You will grow, go to school, and learn.
When you grow, you will follow the stork to school,
The white wings of the stork will follow your every step.
When you grow, you will become a poet. Your life will be full of creativity, ever soaring with tireless energy. The image of the white stork flying forever reflects the mother's beautiful dreams for the child’s future. The mother quietly wonders:
Grow, grow, grow...
What will you be?
You will be a poet!
The white stork will continue to fly, tirelessly
In front of the house,
And within the fresh air of your words...
The final stanza carries the mother’s voice, full of love and hope for the child's future. The mother contemplates the child's life journey, the future filled with her undying love. It is almost like a mother’s vow:
Whether near or far from you,
Whether in the mountains or the sea,
The stork will always find you,
The stork will forever love you.
No matter how old you grow, you will always be my child,
And throughout your life, my heart will always follow you.
The words "whether" and "forever" are repeated, emphasizing the unbreakable bond of motherly love. What could be higher than mountains, deeper than the sea, or more expansive than the love a mother has for her child? In the poem's closing lines, the mother reflects deeply on the life of the stork in folk songs, on the child's future, and on the fate of all the small, fragile storks in life:
Ah, hush!
Only one stork,
The stork my mother sings about
Is life itself,
Flapping its wings above the cradle.
Could the mother be pondering the song: "If the water is muddied, let it be clear—never muddy it with sorrow for the baby stork"? This suggests that a life, though frail, should be cherished, and it points to the deep respect for life that has always existed. *The Stork* is a seemingly simple poem with profound meaning: it celebrates the boundless love of motherhood and expresses the deep compassion inherent in life. The poem is full of humanity and kindness.
