Buzz
1. The Funeral of Uncle Worm
Uncle Worm dug the earth all day long
But this afternoon, he passed away under the tree in the yard
The ant relatives came along
Little ants in front, the elders followed behind
Carrying incense, the elder ants bowed their heads
Crying, the ants in mourning clothes passed by
Fire ants lit red torches on the village path
Golden ants used sticks, their backs heavy with age
The funeral procession was long
Passing banana gardens, potato fields, and eggplant patches
Black ants drank wine in a daze
And the wind carried the ants to share their grief...
Author: Trần Đăng Khoa
2. A Gift from Mom
Mom bought a pair of glasses
For the long trips ahead
Whenever the sun shines bright
The glasses are for Dad
Mom bought a pair of slippers
To wear inside the house
Whenever Mom is away
The slippers are for me
Mom bought a cake
To give as a gift
Whenever my sibling cries
The cake is for them
The whole family shares in joy
Passing on Mom’s warmth
It has always been this way
Mom is a miracle worker.
(Collected)
3. The Summer Choir
The stage is set in the sky
Under the canopy of green leaves
On the branches, the musicians play
Blowing their horns in lively harmony
When the conductor calls
And raises his horn to begin
The choir joins in, a beautiful blend
The cicadas sing… so loud and clear
The child walks beneath the trees
Only seeing the canopy of green
The musicians play with passion
The sweet melody flows in waves
The cicadas sing, ve ve ve...
And their song stretches on, endlessly
How strange, this summer melody
Where did the cicadas learn it from?
(Collected)
4. Where does the Moon come from?
Where does the moon come from?
Perhaps from a distant forest
The moon, red like a ripe fruit
Floating gently before my home
Where does the moon come from?
Perhaps from the magical blue sea
The moon, round like a fish's eye
Never blinking
Where does the moon come from?
Perhaps from a playground
The moon flying like a ball
Which friend kicks it to the sky?
Where does the moon come from?
Perhaps from a lullaby
Where mother sings, comforting Cuoi
Calling the buffalo, until now!
Where does the moon come from?
Perhaps from the battlefield
The moon shines on the soldiers
And the golden corner of the yard
The moon travels everywhere
Where does the moon go?
Does it shine brighter anywhere
Than on my homeland?
1968
Author: Tran Dang Khoa
Collection: The Yard and the Sky (1968)
5. The Sick Bunny
The Bunny is sick
It cries out from time to time
Its mouth keeps murmuring
"Mom, it hurts so much!"
The mother bunny quickly rushes
Holding it in her arms
And hurries to the hospital
To have the doctor examine it
The doctor feels around
And asks, "Where does it hurt?"
The Bunny whispers:
"It hurts around my belly button"
The doctor asks again:
"What have you eaten?"
The Bunny murmurs:
"I ate tamarind and sour fruits…
Drank unboiled water
Scooped it from the pond
My stomach is bubbling loudly
My insides feel like they're being cut apart"
The doctor nods
Places the stethoscope on
After a quick check, he writes:
"The pain is from eating the wrong food"
(Collected)
6. The White Butterfly
The white butterfly
Flutters around the rose branch
And meets a busy bee
Flying hurriedly
The butterfly calls out
"Come, let's go play!"
The bee replies:
"I’m too busy now"
"My mother told me
To finish my work first
If I wander off to play
She won’t be pleased"
(Collected)
7. Loving Mom
Mom leaves for work
Early in the morning
She gets up to cook rice
And fry the meat and fish
I lay my cheek against hers
And receive her gentle kiss
Oh, mom!
I love you so much.
(Collected)
8. Visiting Grandma's House
Thăm nhà bà
Bà đi vắng
Có đàn gà
Chơi ngoài nắng
Cháu đứng ngắm
Đàn gà con
Rồi gọi luôn
Bập, bập, bập
Chúng lật đật
Chạy thật nhanh
Xúm vòng quanh
Kêu “chiếp chiếp”
Gà mải miết
Nhặt thóc vàng
Cháu nhẹ nhàng
Lùa vào mát.
(Sưu tầm)
9. Em nghĩ về trái đất
I stretch and rise
The earth is green once more
Amidst the vast sky and clouds
The sweet song of birds fills the air
With a green scarf of the ocean
And a coat scented with the forest
The earth carries on its back
The children of the land
Though our skin colors differ
We share the same smile
Like the ocean’s unbroken blue
A deep, endless green
Like the warmth of the morning sun
Glittering on the plains
Let us keep the peace
So the flowers may always bloom
I stretch and rise
Wishing for a peaceful earth
So war may never exist
To stain the land with red blood
For the world to reunite
In the love of humanity
And for everywhere to be
A home for the white dove.
(Collected)
10. Mother and the Rain
The long road ahead
Filled with pouring rain
The path is so slippery
Mom, are you home yet?
The evening market is quiet now
The baskets heavy with worry
The thin raincoat soaked through
As the rain pours relentlessly
I stretch out my hand
To welcome you, Mom, in the rain
I stoke the fire in the kitchen
To chase away the gusts of wind
A hurried dinner is cooked
A bowl of soup with greens
Waiting for Dad to come home
For the family to gather and rejoice.
(Collected)
