Top 10 Poems by the renowned football commentator and journalist Dinh Khai

REMEMBERING MY OLD HOME

Author: Dinh Khai

We return to our hometown, together
A place that has been part of our lives since childhood
A flood of nostalgia for the memories of our youth
Searching for them, but they’re no longer there, my love.

The rows of areca trees, the village outskirts
Those nights when we would gather fallen fruit
The bamboo groves where we once hung hammocks
Now, no more sight of the green leaves.

The village no longer has those humble thatched houses
Now there are tall buildings rising up like the city streets
The paved roads extend through each alley
Cars now drive to the entrance of every house.

The vast fields no longer stretch as they once did
No more flocks of storks flying back and forth
Houses have encroached upon the fields and edges
Where is the ditch where we once wandered on those old nights...

Though I know the people of the village have transformed their lives
I still long for the memories that are now gone
Let us put away the nostalgia that has become history
And rejoice that our hometown is evolving and thriving...

THE SEASON OF GAC FLOWERS

Author: Dinh Khai

The gac flowers have bloomed this season
Lighting up the banks of the river
The petals unfold in bright red hues
Do you still remember, my love?

So many memories remain
Hand in hand, we walked by the riverbank
You picked the red flowers
And handed them to me, shyly.

You, so ful and coy
Resting your head on my shoulder, heart beating fast
Time never pauses its march
The years slowly drift away...

After so many years apart
You waited alone for me
Another summer has arrived
Gac flowers blooming by the river.

Alone, you wait and long for me
Come back, my love, I am waiting
We’ll go together to the riverbank
And watch the red gac flowers bloom...

March 20, 2018

THE WHITE NIGHTS

Author: Dinh Khai

Do you blame me for these long white nights
When all I give is to the football field?
No distractions, no worries left for me
Except for the flag, the shirt, and the passing lines?

I get lost in the moments on the field
The powerful shots at the goal
The missed chances, a regretful loss
The referee's whistle, sometimes right, sometimes wrong.

Time keeps moving, and I keep at it
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow with commentary
Pouring all my energy into delivering
Every story and beauty to the audience.

After the match ends, tired I return
When the night has passed, and dawn breaks
To my surprise, I find you waiting
And taking care of me with milk and food.

Now I realize, you never blamed me
For those long nights with the football field
And I know that each night you stayed awake
Watching me and every play on the field...

COME BACK, MY LOVE

Author: Dinh Khai

The fields back home are ready for planting
But why is the sun so scorching hot today?
Early in the morning, you hurriedly worked
Finishing the planting before the sun blazes down.

Do you still remember, my love?
The wide fields back home
Where once, we worked together
From dawn to dusk, planting, and reaping?

Do you recall the nights after long days of toil
When we strolled hand in hand across the fields?
Then we sat by the peaceful riverbank
Listening to the quiet flow of water below.

But my love, those days we shared
Do you still remember them?
Why did you leave me here, waiting
Come back, my love, those memories still wait for you...

July 8, 2018

FOOTBALL AND POETRY
Author: Dinh Khai

It’s been almost half a month, chasing after the ball
Every night, I’m lost in the World Cup thrill
I cheer loudly at each powerful shot
The ball soaring into the net, breaking through the goalposts.

Night follows day, and time races on
Joy continues with each victory
And sorrow comes with every heartbreaking defeat
Pain for the German tanks that left Russia too soon.

Time flows with the ball, night after night
With the constant joy and sadness that never stop
Then I realize, and I exclaim: “Ah, yes
Oh, Poetry, I’ve forgotten about you…”

But don’t be upset, my dear
In just a few more days when the ball no longer rolls
I’ll return to you and reignite the flame
Of our deep love for each other – POETRY.

June 28, 2018
WORLD CUP 2018

HOAN KIEM LAKE IN THE AUTUMN AFTERNOON

Author: Dinh Khai

He walks slowly beside Hoan Kiem Lake
Admiring the Turtle Tower shimmering in the water
Suddenly remembering fifty years ago
The first time he brought you here.

Do you still remember that right here
We spoke of many heartfelt things
About life, about love ahead
And promised to be together forever.

Half a century has passed, yet we remain enchanted
A love so deep, so strong
Just like Hoan Kiem Lake, still as green as ever
Just like the Turtle Tower, still reflecting in the autumn afternoon.

DRUNK WITH THE BALL

Author: Dinh Khai

He immerses himself in the field every night
Intoxicated with the ball rolling, overflowing with emotions
The World Cup is entering its most thrilling matches
Win to stay, lose and reluctantly say goodbye.

Joy fills the air with France, Uruguay
With Russian and Croatian football as well
And tonight, which team will ignite the flame
The burning passion that stirs every heart.

Could he really sit still
As millions of people are lost in the field's magic
He sits alone before the small screen
Yet his soul soars in the skies of Russia...

2-7-2018

FRAGRANCE OF AUTUMN

Author: Dinh Khai

Golden leaves fall, scattering along the narrow alley
The sky is cloudy but the rain doesn't fall
The air is gentle
Autumn has arrived.

The scent drifts along the sidewalk
The fragrance of Vong village's green sticky rice, you surely remember?
Remember the days when we held hands
Stopping by the street curb
Where the baskets of green sticky rice beckoned us.

We bought a pack of fragrant sticky rice wrapped in green lotus leaves
I walked with you under the cool autumn afternoon
The scent of sticky rice – the fragrance of autumn fills the air
Do you still remember, my love?

REMEMBERING THE DIKE OF MY HOMELAND

Author: Dinh Khai

Before we were born
The dike had already surrounded the village, the fields
When the flood season comes, the Red River rages
The dike holds back the water, and all remains peaceful.

My childhood and yours
Also have many stories to tell about that dike
Many nights we sat on the dike listening to the Red River flow
Together we gazed toward the distant city lights.

We shared countless tales, both familiar and strange
None had a clear beginning or end
Yet we both listened, captivated and lost in thought
Talking about the river, the fields, the village...

Then one evening, I hesitantly, softly
Reaching out my hand, nervously grasping your warm hand
You let yours rest in mine, shy and uncertain
While my heart seemed ready to burst out.

Isn't it true, my love, that from that day
Our hearts have beat in unison
On that homeland dike, with the rush of the Red River
We exchanged our vows, promising to walk through life together...

Dinh Khai

THE SOURCE NEVER DRIES

Author: Đình Khải

It’s impossible to forget the days of childhood,
When my mother cared for me with every sleep and meal.
On winter nights, she gave up her blanket and mat,
While in summer, she fanned me to sleep.

From the early years, my father guided my studies,
My mother taught me the daily chores.
Later, the work in the fields continued with hard labor,
But my mother remained quiet, never scolding.

As I grew, I was shaped by her love,
Until the day I spread my wings and flew far.
No matter where I go, I will always remember home,
And my mother, who tirelessly nurtured me.

I will never forget the lessons learned early,
And for my whole life, I will never say more:
A father's love is as steadfast as the Thai Son mountain,
A mother's love is as deep as the endless stream.