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1. Poem: Autumn Rain
AUTUMN RAIN
Poetry by Đỗ Hương
Hanoi is drenched in heavy autumn rain
The old trees shiver as raindrops kiss their leaves
The little sparrow, lost in play, oblivious to the downpour
It can't return, wandering through the rain-drenched streets.
Hanoi lingers, suspended between autumn and rain
The swirling waters carry the wooden boats
The streets from yesterday turn into a misty river
Leaves from the old trees scatter in a graceful drift.
In the rain, the trees drop their leaves gently
A cleaning lady smiles as she races with the current
Her hair flows, carried by the wind, following her slipper
Her angelic smile – 'Perhaps the customer hurriedly dropped it!'
The ancient streets are filled with rain and gusty winds
The tears of the storm fall endlessly upon the stone pavements
The water flows, pouring endlessly, reminding me of sunny days past.
I recall the autumns gone by, the sparrows in the sky
Frantic, they leave behind the last rays of sunshine
The wind has kept silent for three seasons
But now, autumn stirs and awakens the world.
Is it true that autumn carries a fleeting, passionate fragrance?
The yellow leaves blush, as though shy
It loves deeply but hastily turns away, afraid
That autumn might vanish before we realize.
I hastily gather the last notes of Trương Chi's song
Binding them tightly into this autumn of longing
The moonlight is still and quiet, the boats drift softly
Could it be that you have returned, in the purest dream of mine?
25/9/2017
#dohuongthotinh
2. Poem: I Sit Here
I SIT HERE...
Poetry by Đỗ Hương
The air is thick with the scent of lotus in summer
The white petals bloom, with golden stamens bright
From the gaps in the leaves, a soft fragrance rises
A mystical paddle quietly glides through the water.
The boat gently rocks in the lotus pond
Carrying the heavy scent of blooming flowers
Your lips are close, just inches away
As I can almost touch the fragrance of the pond.
And so we drift, lost in the vastness
The calm water cradles the moon in its arms
With innocent yearning, the moon asks for a wager
Leaving the clouds behind, swimming against the lotus.
"What are you afraid of... falling in love, fate entwined..."
Whispers the voice, swallowed by the waves
The lotus leaves form a soft quilt
Inviting the moon to dance in a quiet trance...
This night... will dance with the waves of emerald
The lotus waits for the Moon to descend in tenderness
The entire region becomes silent
The Moon and Lotus burn with passionate intensity.
The night fades away in a fiery rush
I sit here, gazing at the pure moonlight!
P/S: * Falling in love (in English)
Hanoi, 2018
ĐH
3. Poem: Farewell to October
FAREWELL TO OCTOBER!
Poetry by Đỗ Hương
I search for you in the old place, but the lake is still
At the end of autumn, the Moon’s Song drifts in melancholy
Zen light stretches for miles, leaving traces of weary footsteps
Buried deep within, autumn blends with the rich scent of milk flowers.
The fallen leaves flutter lightly as the wind sways
Beside the autumn lake, just one more night to stay
The train, no doubt, is bringing autumn here
By dawn, will the luggage be packed full?
29/10/2017
#dohuong
4. Poem: August
AUGUST
Poetry by Đỗ Hương
August arrives, carrying half of autumn's charm
The other half still lingers in the last days of summer
What kind of flower blooms, with petals so white
It seems like the "Giành Giành" flower still has something to claim from me.
August in the garden, where the flowers are fragile!
The mist shyly gazes at itself in the mirror of sunlight
At dawn, the sparrows chirp loudly
Falling suddenly to the ground—
the ceremonial greeting, hesitating to touch
the timeless fragrance of milk flowers.
August treads lightly, afraid of stirring a century’s love
The clouds count the years, reminding me with uncertainty
Capturing autumn in a whispering thought
August, delicate, afraid to send a poem.
With clumsy hands, unsure where to hide the unspoken
Afraid I might accidentally shatter a ray of sunshine
What can I offer to make up for my mistake with autumn?
I try to hold onto the entire autumn
By binding it with the cloudy August sky.
August 2018
ĐH
5. Poem: Half a Cool Breeze
HALF A COOL BREEZE!
Poem by Đỗ Hương
Three seasons have passed, haven't they? The cool breeze arrives!
Autumn halts along the roadside, heavy with ripened fruit
The fragrance of Hoa Sữa spreads across Ha-Le Lake
The carpet of leaves swirls lazily, gently rocking the lake’s surface.
On the first morning of autumn, the city appears unexpectedly beautiful!
The rustling leaves softly stir dreams
In a quiet place, pairs of sparrows flutter
Gathering golden sunbeams along the way...
The cool breeze blows, carrying the sound of distant laughter
Your hand points towards West Lake, where the waves tremble
Far off, the bell from Trấn Quốc temple rings, echoing
As you gracefully adjust your scarf in the breeze.
Who could have known that in the cracks of time
Autumn fades, and the garden of Thạch Thảo flowers
The cool breeze sweeps, tipping the flowers, disrupting the peace
Taking the soul of the blossoms far from their paradise.
Half of the cool breeze stays behind, gentle and soft
The old road is now covered with fallen leaves
Autumn shudders, urging no hasty steps
Please be gentle, for the cool breeze may break!
14/8/2018
SunNy Do
6. Poem: Waves of the Red River
WAVES OF THE RED RIVER
Poem by Đỗ Hương
You sleep deeply by the hammock of the Red River
Dreaming of meeting me under the bright moonlight
What do you hear, murmuring across the rice fields?
The waves of the Red River crash... heading East...
The storks fly straight across the fields
Autumn ripens over each grove of sweet longans
The sunlight over the fields shimmers like jade
Quietly listening to the tale of the Dragon and the Fairy.
The ancient Fisherman, bare-chested, without a loincloth
Dived along the riverbanks with his father, catching fish
The sunlight of the Red River Delta, how sweet it is!
Perhaps it’s the ‘fairy fish’ caught in his net?
The river’s red waters mark the legacy of Thăng Long
That dragon, soaring through the sky for a thousand years
The bustling, lively city now stands tall
Its beauty reflected on the tranquil waters of Nhị Hà.
The river flows, heavy with silt and fertile soil
Patiently enriching the delta’s plains
It rises and falls, shifting with each ebb and flow
While the bells of Trấn Vũ ring and the rooster crows...
The waves of West Lake still echo with folk songs
This is the heart of the Red River, where millennia converge
Serving as the lungs of the capital, keeping it green
The name is sweet: 'Beside a River’s Flow.'
Oh Red River! My thousand-year wish
May you always flow, always drift towards the sea
Forever nourishing the fertile land, with love
May your vast love be as boundless as the ocean.
In the expanse of the river, who will catch the boatman's song?
P.S: *The meaning of 'Hà Nội'
(image borrowed from the internet)
12/8/2018
SunNy Do
7. Poem: Wobbly... Sleepwalking
CHASING... A DREAM!
Poem by Đỗ Hương
The forest's leaves are still green,
But my father is swaying... at eighty.
Mother's been gone for many years,
Father stays behind, feeling very lonely!
Thinking about it, my heart withers,
He’s lost his memory, but still holds on to love.
Many nights, he dreams of her,
Wandering alone, searching for a way to visit her grave.
The cemetery where mother lies,
The grass is sparse, with dewdrops on the fresh grass.
She's gone to a world of wealth and glory,
But the love they shared still feels full in his hands.
The half moon is shattered, yet full,
Father doesn't understand... he's here alone!
The cemetery glows softly in the dawn,
The morning star quietly weeps... mourning Father!
"Father! Mother has left us...!"
Đặng Xá
23/8/2018
ĐH
8. Poem: Rare
RARE
Poem by Đỗ Hương
Rare are the drops of love's poetry.
Autumn does not look back, leaves it all behind...
What does it hold after a hundred years?
Autumn leaves fall, not for anything... just to go...
Hn, 2017
ĐH
9. Poem: Winter Night
WINTER NIGHT
Poem by Đỗ Hương
(For you, Winter 2016!)
The chilly wind of early winter rushes wildly,
The cold rain beats relentlessly, turning violet-blue.
The little attic stays quiet in the emptiness,
Waiting for the lone wind to sweep across the hills...
In the silence, there is no one to hear,
The vast plain holds no warmth anymore.
Cold water floods into every fold of my clothes,
Repacking my bag, waiting for my horse to guide me along...
Which way should we go, my dear horse?
What’s the rain to you when your form is drenched in tears?
Your thick eyelashes flutter; what do they whisper?
We understand each other without needing any words!
The road ahead is far, distant, no horizon in sight,
Despair is a word I wonder if we should say again!
My dear horse, I’ll breathe warmth into you!
There’s plenty of dry grass... waiting for us to nourish our hearts!
Has there ever been a time you’ve gone hungry because of me?
Even when I feel weak, I’ll save something for you first.
Though the journey is tough, we will walk it together.
The last drop of water, I offer it to you, my horse!
The rain falls, but I keep on smiling,
Perhaps the sun is waiting for us just beyond there?
Even when the wind lashes painfully, my fragile frame trembles,
I would tear my own body to shield you from harm.
Let’s go! Go, my beloved horse,
Tonight we’ll ride through the empty, silent night,
To learn how cold can never invade
Our world of love, as we journey alone together!
Outskirts
7/11/2016
ĐH
10. Poem: Subtraction
SUBTRACTION
By Do Huong
Life is merely a series of subtractions
We no longer linger by Mother's side
When she leaves, I quietly stand alone
Subtracting one more from my personal record!
The years go by, my childhood fades
Memories and longing try to escape
I neither love nor dwell in sorrow
This subtraction is tragically overwhelming!!!
Once, on the beloved attic floor
Raindrops scattered, watching your steps fade
You left without anyone to see you off
This silent subtraction remains deep in my heart!
The cycle of life turns silently
Subtracting both my games and yours
Sadness swells and drowns out all joy
I find myself losing my sense of self-worth
Every love story keeps rising high
When you're gone, I feel unjustly angry
Why don’t you listen deeply like the ocean
But smile and become too lenient with me?
You smile gently, gazing at the familiar sky
Your fingers twirl my hair, dancing in the wind
I know, but I remain silent
I hate the two of you, you and the wind, babbling on!
Oh, my dear, my little cat!
Peace is all I’ve ever wished for,
In a world full of storms and uncertainties
I’ve chosen the quiet harbor of my heart.
The roars of the world wear me out
Why do you seek out anger
Waves surge, bellowing with fury
But I only love the calm shore, so beguiling.
Is there any marriage where joy never ends?
Where laughter never dries up with tears?
Isn't that a subtraction of emotions?
Carefree, trampling over one’s own heart?
Life hands us fruits, ripe and full
Craving love and a bright future
And suddenly, we startle in panic
The thunder rumbles, the sky drenched in rain...
The evening comes, tangled in memories and love
Each poem grows more fragmented each day
I challenge time’s stubbornness
Another subtraction wears my heart away!
17/11/2016
Do Huong
11. Poem: Still Waiting for the Daisy
STILL WAITING FOR THE DAISY
By Do Huong
Softly walking through the streets today
I find myself lost in a garden of Daisies
The sun dances, lighting up the golden windows
The girls of Hanoi carry Autumn in their graceful steps.
The streets, filled with cool winds, lead through flower paths
Carnations bloom, their kiss hurried
Forget-me-nots wait for a distant love
I long for the Daisy, like the blush on a lover's cheek.
The road to school, the silk dress sways with the breeze
The pure Daisy rests in your hair
Autumn gently walks by, adorned with beauty
As sunlight sleeps on the pages of West Lake’s books.
The road by Thanh Nien
Shines like a dragon’s jewel
Teardrops fall, forming two large lakes
On the other side, Truc Bach whispers, a gentle, modest lover.
By West Lake, the sky sways, intoxicated by the clouds!
Whose boat has just docked here?
In the early morning light, a shy village girl
Girls from rice and flower villages return after many years.
Golden Autumn like a dream, I dream
Of your footsteps returning.
Who still carries the Autumn through the market gates?
Wait for me, Daisy!
5/8/2018
Do Huong
12. Poem: Apologizing to the Homeland
APOLOGIZING TO THE HOMELAND
By Do Huong
(Dedicated to my Aunt!)
Following him, I return to my paternal side
The Spring seems to be slowly fading
By the fields, the flowers bloom white
The scent of incense drifts from somewhere, offering prayers.
The path through the village is lined with graves
All freshly adorned for the New Year
Some graves remain green, others long forgotten
A deep sorrow fills my heart.
I visit the homeland, honor my father, respect my mother
But my heart aches for Aunt far away
This Spring, will the road through Cau Giay
Still have the misty rain passing by?
Aunt, oh how I miss you…
Aunt, how much I love you!
In those days when we were just children
Under the cold, slippery roads, we played...
With a heavy heart, I remember the ferry crossing
When we tied the pole at the dock
Eagerly waiting for the full boat
To pull the ropes and cross the river.
Oh River! The distance between us
Can it ever stop the bond of kinship?
Even in hunger, the longing never fades
Why, when we have enough, do we forget?
A girl’s fate is like that of the distant Diêu Bông
Married far away, far from her homeland
I offer a few words this Spring
To apologize for my absence from the homeland!
5th day of Tet Mau Tuat
Do Huong
