Top 12 Essays on the Depiction of a Mother's Image in Chế Lan Viên's Poem 'Con cò' (Grade 9)

Chế Lan Viên is an exceptional poet of the New Poetry movement and one of the most prominent names in 20th-century Vietnamese literature. His poem 'Con cò' stands out as one of his most remarkable works, featured in the collection 'Hoa ngày thường – Chim báo bão'. Through the symbol of the bird, the poet deeply explores the image of the mother in the life of every individual. The bird also symbolizes the hardworking peasant, the tireless woman, and the self-sacrificing mother.

The poem begins with the image of the diligent bird and the mother's tender words:

The bird holds you in its wings

You may not yet know the bird

But in the lullaby,

The bird's wings take flight.

After these heartfelt words from the mother, the lullaby continues with deep affection:

The bird flies high

The bird drifts in the breeze

The bird at the gate

The bird at Đồng Đăng…

Alone, the bird must find its food,

But you, my child, play and sleep in peace.

The bird feeds at night,

The bird is far from home,

It finds a soft branch,

The bird fears the storm…

The bird in the first stanza represents the mother working tirelessly, constantly concerned for her child. Yet, despite her struggles, she serenades her child with sweet lullabies. These lullabies bring peaceful and happy dreams to the child. Through these melodies, images of the homeland, the countryside, and bustling towns emerge. The lullaby also conveys the hardship and sacrifice of the mother. The love and warmth she pours into her song is felt deeply, even as she endures her own trials. Despite her exhaustion, she soothes her child with the soothing rhythms of her voice. Unknowingly, the child absorbs this love through the intuitive connection they share.

The mother's love is sacred, boundless, and everlasting. She is always there to care for and protect her child:

Sleep soundly, sleep peacefully, little one, fear not!

Though the branch is soft, my hands are here to lift you!

The mother's heart enriches the child's soul. Her lullabies shape the subconscious, echoing the scent of spring: 'In the lullaby, the breath of spring fills the air.' Alongside the lullaby, there is the sweet milk the mother nurtures her child with: 'With plenty of milk, the child sleeps peacefully.' The mother provides all that the child needs: lullabies to bring sleep, milk to nourish the child. Throughout the child's growth, the mother is there, caring and guiding.

In the second and third stanzas, the bird evolves into a symbol of the mother’s constant presence, a constant figure in the child’s life. The lullaby, rich with meaning and affection, deepens the child's soul and understanding. The mother teaches her child to soar, always there from infancy to childhood, helping with every meal, every nap.

The mother shares in the joy of the child's first steps into school, and later, in the child's pursuit of poetry. When the child matures, the mother remains a pillar of support:

The white bird soars endlessly,

Before the house’s porch

And in the breeze of every verse…

The mother’s importance in the child’s life is undeniable, from cradle to maturity. Her nurturing guidance brings happiness to the child, as poet Nguyễn Duy expresses:

We walk through life in its entirety

Yet we can never fully repay the lullaby of a mother.

The poem concludes with a final lullaby, brimming with affection and warmth:

Ah, lullaby!

Just one bird alone

The bird in the mother’s song

Represents life itself

Flapping its wings by the cradle

Sleep, sleep,

For the bird, the crane,

For the sky itself

To sing around the cradle.

The repetition of this lullaby throughout the poem creates a rhythm that blends both the traditional and the modern, reflecting the beauty of the bird’s image and the unbroken bond between mother and child. The poem succeeds in creatively using the bird as a symbol in Vietnamese folk songs, evoking rich imagery and philosophical reflections. Every reading of the poem reminds us of the mother’s unyielding love and sacrifice, reinforcing the importance of our duty to her.

Indeed, 'Con cò' is a remarkable poem.

Through the fluttering wings of the bird in the lullaby, Chế Lan Viên expresses the mother’s deep love and hope for her beloved child, ensuring that the child will grow up kind, respectful, and wise.

Everyone has a childhood. The time when we lie in the cradle or take our first uncertain steps is the most beautiful period of our lives. Later, when we look back, countless memories flood our minds like a fleeting dream. In the Vietnamese consciousness, the soaring spirit of a child is inseparable from vast fields and the soft, sweet lullabies of their mothers. Together, these create an image of innocence: the white-winged stork.

The success of this poem lies first in its creative use of tradition (folk songs). In the beginning of the poem, we encounter three folk songs: the stork of Đồng Đăng, the stork of the gate, the stork that flies at night, evoking a nostalgic atmosphere. What seems like a distant past becomes unexpectedly close. In other words, the storks, thought to be long gone, are now awakened. This awakening is framed within the lullaby, gentle like the timeless rocking of a cradle. The entire poem revolves around the image of the stork: the stork in the mother's arms, the stork bringing books to school, and the stork growing up in the future. This continuity gives the poem a sweet, warm, youthful flavor and a seamless flow. However, using tradition doesn't mean merely repeating the past. The poem's creativity brings a modern aspect to its poetry, reflected in several elements. One such element is the introductory lines, which are filled with affection:

“You are still in my arms”

You don't yet know the stork

But in the songs your mother sings

There are storks flying by

This element of introduction carries through the entire journey, with the three stanzas representing three stops in the journey. The first stork only appears in the song (Stanza I), then it becomes a companion (Stanza II), and when the child begins their journey into life, the stork continues to search (Stanza III). Along with this, there is a soothing rhythm with phrases like “Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!” or “Grow up, grow up, grow up…” and “Even though I'm far away, even though I'm close to you…”

Along with the element of introduction is the intimate tone. We find this in the poem's rhythm and structure. The repetition of words, such as “you,” which appear to advise and reveal feelings, is a loving and familiar art:

You don’t yet know the stork, you don’t know the branches your mother sings about.

When we mention the stork, it’s the same: “The stork will find you – the stork will always love you.” This intimate tone sometimes appears in dialogue, where the mother asks the child and then immediately answers for them: “Grow up, grow up, grow up... What will you do? – I will be a poet!” It also appears in the narrative, meaning the description within the poem.

Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!

Let the white stork come and make friends,

The stork stands around the cradle

Then the stork enters its nest.

If you sleep peacefully, the stork will sleep too,

The stork’s wings, the two of us wrapped together.

The contrast between the present and the past, the image of the stork, undergoes transformations, one side affirming the safety of the new era for the younger generation, while also evoking the painful atmosphere of the hard lives in the past. This is most clearly seen in the opposing couplets, like the contrasting dark and light of time placed side by side:

The stork alone must find its own food,

But you have a mother, you play and then sleep.

Or “Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Oh, stork, don’t be afraid!

The stork’s wings are soft, and mother’s hands are ready to lift!”

The method of enhancing the idea turns the small into the large, making the individual into the collective. In the line “In the lullaby of the mother, the scent of spring lingers,” the lullaby belongs to one person, but “the scent of spring” is that of life, of all creation, and spiritually, it’s a sweet milk. Especially in the conclusion: the song, like the stork’s wings, flutters by the cradle, meaning in the “blink of an eye,” the child grows up with a vast, boundless sky. This is both a dream and reality:

Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!

Let the stork and the heron sing,

Let the whole sky come and sing around the cradle.

In the poem’s innovation, Chế Lan Viên offers surprising and deeply meaningful philosophies. For example, the depth of maternal love:

Even when you grow up, you are still your mother’s child,

Through life, your mother’s heart will always follow you.

Before the mother, the child, no matter how big they become, will always be small. Because a mother’s love is boundless. “A mother’s love is like water from a source,” how could it ever be drained? On the other hand, the child is the harbor for the mother, the sun that brings warmth and vitality, how could the mother ever leave? For the mother, the child is like a reason to exist. This truth, this law, will always remain eternal. Just this thought alone is full of poetry.

As for the art of the poem, as we know, Chế Lan Viên has a unique style: philosophizing with images, rich in intellect and artistry. This characteristic is evident here. First, the theme, the theme of maternal love, is not new, but Chế Lan Viên has cleverly revitalized it. The image of the stork in folk songs has integrated the perspectives of the era. Along with the modernization of the theme comes the form, which no longer needs to rely solely on folk songs to express the gentle rhythm of love—a feeling that’s rarely sharp or harsh. With this modernized form, we can see the flow of poetry has changed.

One can immerse in it without being stuck in the familiar old “pond.” Accompanying this change in form are various poetic ideas, tones, sometimes whispering intimately, sometimes passionately yearning, sometimes bubbling over. Extremely diverse and rich, yet no matter how broad the circle of thought expands, it always revolves around one unchanging center. That is the image of the stork, whether it is in its embodied form, its divided form, as a child, or when it is no longer a child, and especially the essence of the lullaby. This lullaby is essentially the sound of “À ơi” but also changes in countless ways—sometimes the stork flies softly, sometimes the voice is gentle, and sometimes it’s a new, interesting discovery: “If you sleep peacefully, the stork sleeps too – the stork’s wings, the two of us wrapped together.”

Thus, the expansion of humanism (in this case, maternal love) merges with the expansion of the theme, tone, and images, not only enriching the content but also elevating the artistry of the poem to a new level. Chế Lan Viên’s contribution to this poem is truly remarkable!

When we mention Chế Lan Viên, we inevitably think of his poetry, rich in philosophical thought and intellectual depth. One of the poems that most vividly represents this poet is 'The Stork'. Though it may not be one of his greatest masterpieces, it is undoubtedly one of his most cherished works. Reading this poem feels like boarding a high-speed train that takes us back to our childhood while also bringing to life the warm image of a mother, singing lullabies filled with tenderness and love. The mother’s figure comes to life in her gentle, heartfelt lullabies:

“The stork flies high,

The stork flutters low,

The stork by the gate,

The stork of Đồng Đăng…”

With these soft lullabies, we can almost see the loving mother cradling her baby in her arms, singing these timeless songs that have soothed generations of children:

“The stork goes out at night,

Perches on a soft branch and falls into the pond,

Oh, please help me, dear,

If I have a wish, stir the clean water,

But do not stir the muddy water, it will break my heart for the little stork.”

The mother sings these age-old lullabies to her child, pouring out endless love. As she watches her baby—still in her arms, unaware of the stork—the mother’s heart overflows with affection. She loves the stork, representing the peaceful countryside with its gentle wings fluttering. She also sympathizes with the stork in folk songs, struggling through hardships to feed her family. The mother tenderly cares for her child, singing a lullaby that comforts the child to sleep. Through these songs, the mother expresses her deep affection, confirming her unwavering commitment to her child’s happiness and safety, even if it means sacrificing herself:

The mother offers her child everything: her tender embrace, the sweet lullaby, and her nourishing milk. She provides complete care and protection:

“The stork is alone, it must seek its own food,

But you, my child, will play and sleep soundly.”

These artistic metaphors symbolize a mother's boundless love. The rhythm of the poem mirrors the gentle rocking of a cradle, soothing and caring:

“Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!

The wings are soft, and the mother’s hands are ready to lift you!

The lullaby carries the essence of spring,

You don’t yet know the stork or the soft branches your mother sings about,

The mother’s milk is plentiful, and you sleep without worry.”

The repetition of “sleep peacefully,” “you don’t know,” and “the stork” creates a warm, sweet, and affectionate tone, reflecting the love the mother has for her child. Watching her child sleep soundly, the mother dreams of the future. The “stork” in the lullaby will accompany the child, walking with them through the journey of life:

“Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully! Sleep peacefully!

Let the white stork come to visit,

The stork stands around the cradle,

Then enters its nest.

If you sleep peacefully, the stork will also rest,

Its wings will cover us both.

When you grow up, you’ll follow the stork to school,

The white wings will follow your every step,

Grow up, grow up, grow up,

What will you do?

You will become a poet!

The white stork will continue to fly without rest,

In front of the house,

And in the refreshing breeze of your words…”

The stork, which symbolizes the mother’s love, will follow the child through every stage—play, study, and even into adulthood, where the mother dreams of her child becoming a poet, with the stork flying forever in the child’s words. The mother reflects on her child’s future, her love expressed in the lullaby, like a vow:

“Whether near or far,

Whether you climb mountains or cross seas,

The stork will find you,

The stork will always love you,

No matter how old you grow, you will always be my child,

Throughout your life, my heart will follow you.”

The mother imagines the future, knowing that her child may grow up, perhaps even leaving her. Regardless of the distance or challenges in life, she will always be there, watching over, loving, and providing the child with a peaceful, gentle refuge. Even when the child is an adult and perhaps a mother themselves, the child will always be the mother's baby, needing protection. The mother’s love is limitless:

“À ơi,

Just one stork,

The stork your mother sings about,

Represents the entirety of life,

Its wings fluttering over the cradle.”

Is the mother reflecting on the verse:

“If you stir, stir the clean water,

But do not stir the muddy water, it will break my heart for the little stork?”

Through the lullaby and the stork imagery, the poem creates a portrait of the gentle Vietnamese mother—overflowing with eternal love, devotion to life, and a love that continues to resonate in the hearts of its readers.

Chế Lan Viên is an outstanding representative of modern Vietnamese poetry. His works draw readers in with profound philosophies on love and the human experience, where the beauty lies not in the glittering words but in the deep, humanistic reflections. Each of his poetic symbols carries layers of hidden meanings. 'The Stork' is one such poem. The image of the mother, deeply imbued with love, stands out powerfully.

Written in 1962 and published in the collection 'Everyday Flowers, Storm-Predicting Birds,' the poem praises the loving devotion of a mother while expressing her hopes for her child’s future. By using the imagery of the stork from folk songs and lullabies, the poem underscores the significance of a mother’s love and the lullaby's role in shaping the life of her child. The poem opens with the tender words of the mother:

“You are still cradled in my arms,
You don’t yet know the stork,
But in the songs I sing,
The stork's wings are flying.”

As the poem progresses, the image of the mother becomes intertwined with that of the hardworking, tireless figure, sacrificing to raise her child. The mother’s love is depicted as an endless source of warmth and protection, guiding her child through life. Even when the child stumbles, it is the mother’s embrace that catches them, and her love becomes the foundation that gives the child confidence to face the world:

The stork flies high,
The stork flutters low,
The stork by the gate,
The stork of Đồng Đăng…
Alone, the stork must hunt for food,
But you, my child, you play and sleep again.
The stork flies at night,
Far from its nest,
It finds soft branches,
Afraid of disturbing the tender bamboo…”

The mother’s voice merges with the image of the stork, expressing her desire to always be by her child’s side. The mother rocks the cradle and watches over the child’s peaceful sleep, her own rest waiting until the child’s is secure. The lullaby carries her hopes and dreams for the child’s future. As the child grows, the mother remains a steady presence, guiding them through life, whether in the cradle or as they embark on their journey through school. In the lullaby, there is not just love but also the reality of rural life, of hardship, and the struggles of the mother. It is a heartfelt expression of love that rises from the mother’s soul:

“The stork stands around the cradle,
Then flies back to its nest,
When you sleep peacefully, the stork too will rest,
Our wings, two, will share the same cover.”

Indeed, the bond between mother and child is sacred and boundless, transcending all obstacles. A mother’s love is vaster than the ocean, enduring regardless of the trials they may face.

“No matter how old you get, you will always be my child,
For the rest of your life, my heart will follow you.”

Such is the depth of a mother’s love—immeasurable and unconditional. Even as the child matures, the mother’s heart remains unwavering, a constant source of affection. There is no greater love than that of a mother, as vast as the mountains and rivers that stretch across the land.

Regarding form, Chế Lan Viên cleverly uses free verse, with varying lengths and minimal rhyme, to express emotions and thoughts with ease and fluidity. The imagery in the poem draws inspiration from folk songs, but it is the poet’s creative expansion that imbues these symbols with deeper, new meanings. The imagery in this poem leans toward symbolism, and though these symbols may not always be immediately clear, they resonate with familiarity and evoke strong emotional responses. The most prominent image is that of the mother, presented in vivid, clear detail.

“Being by mother’s side is happiness beyond measure,
No fear of the winds or rains,
Though we may lack the presence of a father,
To a child, a mother is the sun.”
(From 'I Love You, Mother' – Hoa Hiep Le)

Agatha Christie once said, “A mother’s love for her child is unlike anything else in the world. It has no rules, and no regrets.” Perhaps, among all emotions, family love—especially the love between mother and child—is the most sacred and noble. This theme has been explored repeatedly in art, both Eastern and Western, from folk songs and proverbs to poems, songs, and paintings. Through his poem 'The Stork,' Chế Lan Viên has contributed a voice to enrich this enduring theme.

Chế Lan Viên is a prominent poet of the New Poetry movement. Before the Revolution, his works were often viewed as disturbing and mysterious, filled with images of skulls and bones. However, after the August Revolution, his poetry shifted toward a closer connection with life, people, and the nation. 'The Stork,' written in 1962 and published in his collection 'Everyday Flowers - Storm-Predicting Birds,' employs the image of the stork from lullabies to celebrate the love of a mother and the significance of lullabies in shaping a child's life. At the heart of the poem lies the image of the stork, brought to life by the lullaby sung by the mother, representing the hardships and sacrifices of motherhood:

“The stork cradles you in its wings,
You don’t yet know the stork,
But in the song I sing,
The stork’s wings are flying.”

The poem opens with the heartfelt words of the mother, whose tender emotions are directed toward the stork, a symbol that has been a part of every person’s childhood, starting from the lullabies sung by mothers as they cradle their babies. Even if the child doesn’t know what a stork is, the imagery of its wings is ingrained in their mind. The lullaby’s verses, such as “The stork flies so gracefully,” and “The stork flies alone, far from its nest,” paint a serene and peaceful image of the countryside, symbolizing the difficult and tireless life of a mother. The mother pours all her love into these lullabies, using them to lull her child to sleep. “The soft wings of the stork, mother’s hands are always ready to lift you.” For the mother, her child is the most precious gift, and she will always protect and care for them. Thus, the mother’s love becomes embedded in the child’s heart from their earliest days. As the child sleeps soundly in the warmth of her lullaby and her milk, the second part of the poem reflects how the stork moves from the world of dreams to the reality of the child’s growing years, symbolizing the mother's enduring presence throughout their life.

“Sleep, sleep, sleep,
Until the white stork comes to greet you.
The stork stands by your cradle,
Then flies back to its nest.
When you sleep peacefully, the stork also rests,
Our wings, two, will cover us both.”

The stork’s wings are like the mother’s embrace—ever present and filled with love, offering warmth and security. The child is cared for by the mother from the cradle to their “nest” as they grow and even as they begin their journey to school. The mother will always be there, guiding her child through life, regardless of how far they may go or how much they grow. To the mother, the child will always be her little one, the one she will protect and nurture, the place where the child finds strength and purpose. The stork’s wings will “keep flying without rest,” soaring through the child’s life, within their words and poems. Through the image of the stork, Chế Lan Viên praises the mother’s love and the gentle support she provides, helping her child grow and reach for their dreams.

The third part of the poem delves deeper into the profound meaning of a mother’s love and the impact of a lullaby on a person’s life. Whereas the opening verses are filled with tender affection, the third part shifts to reflect more thoughtful and deep reflections:

“Whether near or far,
Whether in the forest or across the seas,
The stork will always find you,
It will forever love you.
No matter how old you grow,
And no matter how far you go,
My love will always follow you.”

This passage encapsulates the universal truth of a mother’s love: no matter where life takes us, no matter the challenges and hardships we face, a mother’s love is constant, unchanging, and eternal. As the poem concludes, the stork’s return to the cradle symbolizes the mother’s protective and nurturing embrace, as if she whispers her love and devotion to her child. All the love in the world converges in that cradle.

Through the use of free verse and rich imagery, Chế Lan Viên draws upon the symbolism of the stork from folk songs and lullabies to once again pay tribute to the sacred bond of motherhood. The mother depicted in this poem is not just a symbol; she is the mother of each of us, a reflection of the boundless love that every mother offers her child. It is a love that may be expressed in different ways, but it is always there. Let us be sensitive enough to perceive this love and never regret it.

When we think of Chế Lan Viên, we immediately recall a poet whose verses are rich with emotion. His poetry is filled with deep philosophical insights that require reflection and introspection to truly understand. One of his most poignant contributions to literature is the poem 'The Stork,' in which he beautifully portrays the bond between mother and child. In this poem, the image of the mother emerges naturally and intimately, making us reflect more on the love we have for our own mothers.

In reading 'The Stork,' the reader can easily recognize the central symbol of the stork, a figure that Chế Lan Viên drew from traditional folk songs and proverbs. The stork has long been associated with rural life, and in this poem, it serves as a powerful symbol for the mother's heart and the tender lullabies she sings to her child.

The stork, as a symbol, evolves throughout the poem, capturing the passage of time and the life journey of both the child and the mother. The poem opens with the stork as a figure from lullabies, where the author deftly draws upon a few key words from popular folk songs to evoke memories of these age-old songs. Through these references, Chế Lan Viên enriches the meaning of the stork as a symbol, using it to represent the hardships of rural life and the comfort of a mother’s song. The stork’s image, invoked through the lullaby, brings the child’s world to life, evoking scenes from rural villages to bustling streets.

The reader can also sense the tranquil, steady rhythm of life from the past in the stork’s image. In the folk rhyme 'The stork flies at night,' the stork becomes a symbol of the mother, representing the tireless effort of women who work long hours to provide for their families. Through her lullaby, the mother introduces the stork’s image to her child, often unknowingly initiating the child into the world of folk wisdom and the maternal love that will accompany them through life.

Even though the child may not fully understand the meaning of the lullaby, they will undoubtedly absorb the warmth and love in their mother's voice. The poem’s closing verse captures the serene continuity of life:

'The white stork comes to greet,

The stork stands around the cradle,

Then flies into the nest,

When the child sleeps, the stork rests too,

The stork’s wings, two souls together.'

As the child grows, the stork continues to accompany them:

'The child follows the stork to school,

The stork’s white wings follow the child’s footsteps.'

And as the child matures:

'The stork’s wings continue to soar, never resting,

Before the house,

And in the cool breeze of a poem...'

The stork, originating from the mother’s lullaby, becomes an inseparable part of the child’s consciousness, traveling with them throughout life. The stork’s image in folk songs lives on in the collective memory, and it is through this image that the mother’s love is expressed—gentle, protective, and constant.

The third part of the poem directly associates the stork with the mother’s enduring love. Like the wings of the stork, a mother’s love is always close, always watching over her child:

'Whether near or far,

Whether in the mountains or the sea, the stork will find you,

The stork will always love you.'

In these verses, Chế Lan Viên affirms a universal truth: the sacred and unbreakable bond between mother and child. The mother’s love endures, no matter the distance or time:

'Even as you grow, you will always be my child,

Throughout your life, my love will follow you.'

The mother’s love is unchanging, constant, and all-encompassing. Whether near or far, whether the child is small or grown, the mother’s heart will always protect and cherish her child.

'A single stork,

The stork in the mother’s lullaby,

Is the story of life,

Its wings brushing against the cradle.'

The stork, in its symbolism, represents the mother’s sacrifices, struggles, and boundless love for her child. The closing lines of the poem capture the profound and tender image of the stork’s wings brushing the cradle, echoing the gentle care of a mother’s love. Chế Lan Viên’s 'The Stork' is truly a remarkable work, celebrating a theme that is not new in literature—the love between mother and child. Yet, through his unique perspective and poetic talent, he brings fresh emotions to this timeless theme, creating a work that deeply resonates with readers. The love of a mother for her child is eternal, never fading or diminishing.

Chế Lan Viên stands as a remarkable representative of modern Vietnamese poetry. His poems are filled with profound philosophies on love and the human experience. What attracts readers to his work is not the glitter of words, but the depth of his humanistic reflections. Every image he creates serves as a symbol layered with varied meanings. The poem 'The Stork' is a perfect example of this. Through the image of the stork, the poet delves into the profound theme of a mother's love in every human's life: A mother is the soul of the homeland, her hands provide shelter and support, and she is the cornerstone that holds us up.

The image of the mother in this poem is closely tied to each stage of a person’s life. In the first stage, when the child is still an infant, the mother's love is embedded in the familiar lullabies. These songs reflect the imagery of the homeland, of hard-working lives, and of mothers toiling under the sun and rain to raise their children. The depth of her love is expressed in every note of these lullabies:

'The stork must find its own food,'

'You have a mother, you play and then sleep.'

And:

'Sleep peacefully, sleep peacefully, dear stork, don’t be afraid,'

'The branch may be soft, but my hand is here to lift you.'

These expressions of love create the depth of the lullaby, bringing the child a peaceful sleep. So, even without understanding, even if only unconsciously, the child feels what it means to experience a mother’s love: 'With the mother’s milk, the child sleeps without worry.' These lullabies, infused with the soul of the homeland, become the child’s first friend and stay with them throughout their life. The image of the stork and the love of the mother enter the child’s heart in this way, following them through their entire journey. The depiction of the mother in Chế Lan Viên's poem 'The Stork' is:

'Whether near or far,'

'Whether in the mountains or the seas,'

'The stork will find you,'

'The stork will always love you.'

'Even as you grow, you will still be my child,'

'My love will follow you throughout your life.'

Using free verse, the poet creates an immense world of love, characterized by its lack of limitations in both space and time. 'Mountains' and 'seas'—these two extremes of space suggest the difficulties of life. 'Near' and 'far'—the geographical distances represent potential obstacles that might hinder love, but they cannot obstruct the mother's boundless affection for her child. The love of the mother is 'always,' 'forever,' 'eternally' present, regardless of whether she is physically there. The mother’s heart is timeless, transcending all boundaries of space and time. This is the universal law that the poet conveys throughout the poem. As Nguyễn Duy once captured this love in his philosophical lines:

'We live one entire life,'

'Yet we can never exhaust the words of our mother’s lullaby.'

The poem concludes with verses that reinforce the deep bond between every person’s life and their mother’s love. One cannot imagine a life without this sacred love, as it represents our connection to our homeland, our roots, and the protective harbor that supports us throughout life.

Through a reflective path, Chế Lan Viên has presented the image of the Vietnamese mother—her love is 'beyond all boundaries,' accompanying the child through every stage of life. Every Vietnamese who matures today began from this foundation. In literature and in the collective consciousness, the mother is always and forever the most beautiful, the brightest image. For some, she is the nurturing presence: 'The food I eat, the mother’s hands cooked; the water I drink, the mother’s hands boiled.' For others, she is the shield, protecting from life’s pitfalls: 'Parents are the shield that protects me for life.' All of this affirms that human beings cannot grow without the love of a mother. The poem 'The Stork' encapsulates all of these emotions. It is a hymn to the profound, expansive love of every mother in this world.

This poem was written over forty years ago, yet the philosophies of life and love in it remain timeless. Nothing in the world can be as eternal as a mother’s love for her child. The mother is the immortal monument for every human being.

Chế Lan Viên is a renowned poet of Vietnamese literature, known for his unique artistic style, which blends intellectual musings and modern philosophical insights. His poetry captivates readers not through glittering words but through deep, humanistic reflections. His symbolic use of imagery is both diverse and profound, often merging the real and the imaginary. 'The Stork' is an example of such a poem.

The stork—a central image throughout the poem and its title—originates from traditional folk songs. The stork symbol has long been prevalent in folk literature, often signifying the hard-working farmer or the diligent, self-sacrificing woman. In this poem, the poet uses the stork to represent the love of a mother and the lullabies she sings.

The poem is divided into three parts, each tightly interwoven with a logical flow. The stork's image starts with lullabies that shape a child's early years, embedding itself into their subconscious and following them throughout life. This image evolves throughout the poem, symbolizing the relationship between a person’s life stages, from childhood to adulthood.

At the start of the poem, the imagery draws from lines of folk songs used as lullabies. The poet selectively incorporates words from these songs, evoking the essence of the original verses. These lullabies bring forth rich symbolic meanings of rural life, portraying scenes from the countryside to the city.

The stork's image conveys the gentle, steady rhythm of a peaceful life, characteristic of the past. In the folk saying “the stork goes out to eat at night,” it symbolizes the mother’s struggles—her tireless efforts to support her family. Through the mother’s lullabies, the stork’s image quietly enters the child’s soul, establishing a deep, unspoken connection to the world of dreams and emotions.

Though young children may not grasp the full meaning of the lullaby, they intuitively absorb the love and protection it conveys. As they grow, the stork becomes a constant companion, comforting them through the stages of life. The soothing image of the stork is mirrored in these verses:

“The white stork arrives to greet us”

“The stork stands by, waiting nearby”

“Then the stork returns to its nest”

“As the child sleeps soundly, so does the stork”

“The stork’s wings, two hearts beat as one”

As the child matures:

“The child follows the stork to school”

“The white wings of the stork follow the child’s steps.”

And in adulthood:

“The white wings of the stork fly tirelessly”

“Before the house, in the cool breeze of words…”

Thus, the stork, born from lullabies, embeds itself in the child’s consciousness, becoming a constant presence throughout their life. From folk songs, the stork continues to live on in the human psyche, symbolizing the mother’s care, guidance, and unwavering support. In the third part of the poem, the stork becomes synonymous with the mother. Her love is as enduring and close as the stork’s wings, always present through every stage of the child’s life:

“Whether near or far from you”

“Through mountains and seas, the stork will find you”

“The stork will always love you”

Chế Lan Viên affirms a fundamental law of love—eternal and vast: the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.

“Even when you grow up, you are still your mother’s child”

“Throughout your life, your mother’s heart will follow you.”

The poem moves from emotional expression to philosophical reflection, illustrating that no matter the distance, whether near or far, whether a child is young or grown, the mother’s love is unwavering and protective.

“One stork alone”

“The stork the mother sings of”

“Is also life itself”

“Wings fluttering over the cradle.”

The lullaby is a song of love. The transformation of the mother into the stork is rich with symbolism, embodying sacrifice, hardship, and tender affection. The final verse beautifully depicts the mother’s protective gesture, as if she’s gently leaning over the cradle, whispering loving words to her child.

While the poem uses free verse, some lines also follow the 8-syllable pattern, allowing the poet to express his emotions flexibly. The poem begins with short, repetitive lines that echo the rhythm of a lullaby, though not entirely in a traditional lullaby form. The poem moves beyond mere melody to offer deeper philosophical contemplation.

Furthermore, Chế Lan Viên showcases his creative genius by reimagining the stork image from folk songs. Even though the stork is a well-known symbol, the poet imbues it with fresh meaning, demonstrating that familiar images can still contain layers of new emotional and symbolic value.

When we think of Chế Lan Viên, we cannot help but recall his poems rich in philosophical reflections and brimming with intellectual depth. One of the poems that brings to mind the essence of this poet is 'The Stork'. While the poem may not be considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Chế Lan Viên's poetic legacy, it is undoubtedly one of the most beloved works by this poet, deeply etched in the hearts of readers. Reading this poem, we are not only transported back to the days of our childhood, but also reminded of the beloved figure of the mother, conveyed through the tender lullabies of the stork, which cradle us in the sweetness of infancy.

The image of the mother emerges in the soft, sincere lullaby:

“The stork flies,

The stork drifts,

The stork at the temple gate,

The stork at Dong Dang…”

With the gentle melody of the lullaby, we can almost feel the loving mother cradling her child, singing softly. These age-old lullabies have soothed countless generations of children:

“The stork goes out at night,

Perches on a soft branch, then falls into the pond

Grandfather, please fish me out

If I have any heart, please stir the young shoots

If you stir, stir the clear water

Don’t stir the murky water, it pains the stork’s heart.”

The mother sings these timeless lullabies to her child. Holding the little one in her arms, she sings of the stork in the peaceful countryside, of the stork's tireless labor under the sun and the rain, supporting her family. And she cherishes her child with every note, for the stork is a symbol of sacrifice and love. The mother’s lullaby nourishes the child’s sleep with sweet dreams, so that 'the child sleeps without a care'. The mother loves her child and loves her homeland. In the lullaby, the mother affirms that she will protect her child, just like the stork, through all hardships, and will sacrifice herself for the happiness and safety of her child. The mother gives her all: her gentle arms, her soothing lullabies, her sweet milk, her shelter and care.

“The stork is alone, it must find food

The child has a mother, to play and then sleep.”

These artistic metaphors powerfully convey the boundless love of a mother. The rhythm of the poem mimics the rocking of a cradle, the gentle motion of a mother’s arms, comforting her child:

“Sleep well! Sleep well! Sleep well!

The wings are soft, mother’s hands are ready to lift!

In the lullaby of mother, the breath of spring,

The child doesn’t yet know the stork or the crane

The child doesn’t yet know the soft branches mother sings about,

The mother’s milk is plentiful, the child sleeps without hesitation.”

The repetition of the phrases 'Sleep well', 'The child doesn’t yet know', and 'The stork' creates a warm, sweet, tender tone, filled with the mother’s love. Watching her child peacefully sleeping, the mother’s heart overflows with dreams of the future. The 'stork’ in her lullaby will be her constant companion, walking beside the child through life’s first steps, sharing in their joys and sorrows:

“Sleep well! Sleep well! Sleep well!

Let the white stork come to greet you

The stork stands around the cradle

Then the stork returns to its nest

When the child sleeps peacefully, the stork sleeps too

The wings of the stork, the two of them resting together”

As the child grows, it will follow the stork to school:

“When you grow up, follow the stork to school

The white wings of the stork follow the footsteps”

Growing up, growing up, growing up

What will you do?

You’ll become a poet!

The white wings of the stork continue to fly without rest

In front of the house

And in the coolness of the written words…”

The stork, or rather the mother, her love will accompany the child in every moment, whether playing, learning, or as the child matures. The mother dreams of her child’s future, wishing for them to be a poet, and the stork will continue to fly in their words. The mother envisions the child’s life ahead, filled with love and hope, and her lullabies are a promise:

“Whether close or far away

Through forests and seas

The stork will always find you

The stork will always love you

No matter how old you get, you will always be my child

Throughout life, my love will always follow you”

The mother reflects on her child’s future, knowing that even if they go far away, or if life presents many challenges, she will always be there, watching over and loving them. The bond of a mother’s love is infinite, and she will protect her child, providing a safe harbor through all of life’s trials. No matter how old the child becomes, even if they become a mother themselves, to the mother, they will always be her little one, needing protection and care. The mother’s love is boundless:

“Ahh, one little stork

The stork that mother sings about

Is also life

Flapping its wings through the cradle”

Could it be that the kind mother is reflecting on the words:

“If you stir, stir the clear water

Don’t stir the murky water, it pains the stork’s heart?”

The clear stream is better than a muddy life, a poignant metaphor for a life worthy of respect. Through the image of the lullaby and the stork, this poem paints a portrait of the gentle, loving Vietnamese mother, whose unconditional love and sacrifice transcend time. Chế Lan Viên’s 'The Stork' is a unique poem, written about a theme not new—motherly love—using traditional imagery of the stork and lullabies. Yet, through his creativity and artistic talent, Chế Lan Viên has left us with a thought-provoking and profound poetic expression. Reading 'The Stork', we are filled with the love that a mother dedicates to her child throughout her entire life.

Chế Lan Viên (1920-1989) was a prominent poet of 20th-century Vietnamese literature. His name became widely recognized during the development of the New Poetry Movement (1932-1941), and his masterpiece collection, "Dying Beauty" (1937), marked the height of this era with its mysterious and eerie poetic style. After the August Revolution, many intellectuals of the time, including Chế Lan Viên, broke free from their earlier struggles. He no longer sought his personal "I" through the wild, frantic verses of his youth, but instead turned to explore the beauty of human life, the land, and the sacred emotions of the Vietnamese people. His poems evolved into thoughtful, philosophical reflections, rich in intellect and profound with images both familiar and diverse. "The Stork" is one of Chế Lan Viên's finest works, published in his 1967 collection "Everyday Flowers - Storm Birds." Through this poem, the figure of the mother emerges, symbolized by the stork, an image of deep affection, closely connected with the gentle, comforting lullaby of maternal love.

The first stanza presents the mother’s figure through the soft, loving lullaby she sings to her child, her embrace warm and full of love and happiness. The mother sings tenderly:

"The stork flies lazily

The stork soars gracefully

The stork at the gate

The stork of Dong Dang..."

Here, the mother does more than lull her child to sleep; she also teaches her child about the world, introducing the image of the stork through her loving, nurturing lullaby. Through the mother’s voice, the child is introduced to the peaceful beauty of the homeland, the graceful storks, and the familiar landmarks of their native land, learning early about their bond with the country.

The mother’s image continues to emerge through her tender messages to her child: "The stork is alone, it must find its own food. But you, my child, you can play and sleep, for you have me." This reveals the sacrifice, toil, and daily struggles of the mother to ensure her child’s peaceful sleep and carefree childhood. The next lines reinforce this image:

"The stork hunts at night

The stork is far from home

The stork finds a soft branch

The stork fears disturbing the nest

Sleep, my child, sleep, do not fear

If the branch is soft, mother’s hands are there to lift you."

Here, the mother is not just singing about the stork’s hardships but using the stork’s image as a metaphor for the Vietnamese mother’s struggles. She endures daily hardships, both physically and emotionally, in order to provide for her family, braving night and day without complaint. Despite her struggles, she never resents her child, instead offering a love that is tender and selfless, ensuring her child sleeps peacefully while she shoulders the burden of life’s difficulties. Like the stork, the mother is prepared to lift even the softest branch for her child’s sake. Her lullaby is filled with the wisdom of the ages, nurturing the child’s heart and mind with the beauty of life, as the mother strives to give her child the most beautiful and joyful childhood possible.

And not just in childhood, when the child is still in her arms, but the image of the mother, like the stork, continues to accompany the child throughout their journey of life:

"Sleep, sleep, sleep

Let the white stork come to meet you

The stork stands by the cradle

Then the stork returns to its nest

As you sleep peacefully, the stork too shall rest

The stork’s wings, two of them, will cover you

When you grow up, you will follow the stork to school

The stork’s white wings will follow your footsteps

Grow up, grow up, grow up... What will you become?

You will become a poet

The white stork will keep flying, tirelessly

Before the house

And in the cool breeze of your writing."

The mother holds her child close, giving them a peaceful, loving sleep, and when the child grows and goes to school, the mother is there to accompany the child on their first steps, hoping that the child’s life will be illuminated by knowledge. The mother’s love, care, and dreams for her child are revealed in her thoughts about the child’s future, when they grow up and step into the world.

"Grow up, grow up, grow up...

What will you do?

You will become a poet

The white stork will keep flying, tirelessly

Before the house

And in the cool breeze of your writing."

The mother envisions a distant future, where the child becomes a poet, bringing beauty to the world, or perhaps the child will choose another path. But no matter what, the mother will always walk alongside, watching over them throughout life, because the child will forever be hers. The final stanza presents the mother’s image through her thoughts and messages to her still-infant child:

"Whether near or far from you

Whether you go into the forest or the sea

The stork will always find you

The stork will always love you

Even when you grow up, you will still be my child

For your whole life, my love will follow you

Ah, just one stork

The stork that sings the lullaby

Is also my life

Wings fluttering around the cradle

Sleep, sleep!

For the stork’s wings, the heron’s wings

For the whole sky

To sing

Around the cradle."

Even though the child may one day roam the world, journeying through forests and seas, the mother’s love will always be there, comforting and protective, just as it was when the child was a baby. "Even when you grow up, you will still be my child. No matter where you go, my love will follow you." The mother’s selfless, tireless devotion to her child is encapsulated in the image of the stork, a symbol of sacrifice and care. The mother does not seek recognition for her hardships, but rather gives everything for her child, wishing only that they grow up to be a worthy person. The stork in Chế Lan Viên’s poem is not just an image of a bird, but of the Vietnamese mother, enduring, sacrificing, and loving endlessly. The poem stands out as a profound reflection on the sacred bond of motherhood, a theme that resonates deeply in post-revolutionary literature. The difference in this work is the use of the stork from traditional folk songs to create a new image of the Vietnamese woman as a figure of strength, sacrifice, and love. The free verse style, reminiscent of lullabies, brings the readers into deep philosophical musings on motherhood and the life of every person, all encapsulated in a few lines of a mother’s lullaby.

"We live a full life as humans,

But we never fully hear all of our mother's lullabies."

(Sitting and remembering my mother - Nguyễn Duy)

The lullabies sung by grandmothers and mothers flow softly, like a continuous stream of folk songs, and their melodies resonate in Chế Lan Viên’s poem, "The Stork." In the lullaby, the image of the stork stands as a profound symbol of motherhood, invoking deep contemplation.

A mother gently lulls her child to sleep, the soothing lullaby accompanied by the nurturing milk that supports the child’s dreams. Her tender love for her precious child is woven into every note of the lullaby:

"You rest in my arms,
You do not yet know the stork,
But in my song, you hear..."
"With my ample milk, you sleep without a care."

During the tender years of infancy, as the child lies in the cradle, cradled in the warmth of the mother’s embrace, they experience the vastness of her love. "Milk nourishes the body, while songs nurture the soul." The mother's milk strengthens the child's body, but her lullaby, filled with her deepest emotions, nourishes the child’s spirit. The child sleeps peacefully, "without concern," for they are unaware of the emotions concealed within the familiar tune. The image of the white stork endlessly flutters through the mother’s song. The lean, tireless stork, forever searching for food to sustain its young, becomes a metaphor for the mother’s boundless sacrifice and enduring love. Behind the stork's fragile form, we witness the hardworking, selfless figure of the mother.

"The stork flies here,
The stork soars there...
The stork must seek food alone,
You have a mother, you play, and then you sleep."

The vast world stretches before us: "The palace gate, Dong Dang," where the mother’s image of tirelessly soaring across endless skies becomes a symbol of her endless dedication to her child, ensuring they enjoy a carefree and joyful childhood of "play and sleep." Chế Lan Viên expertly weaves in familiar folk motifs, stirring emotions deep within, while enhancing the musicality of the lullaby. The mother’s song carries a note of melancholy, as it recalls the hardships of the stork:

"The stork feeds at night,
The stork is far from home,
The stork meets a soft branch,
The stork fears disturbing the bamboo shoots..."

The lullaby evokes the ancient rhythms of folk songs, painting a picture of the stork wandering through the night in search of food, driven by hunger and hardship. The stork, like the mother, faces life's struggles for the sake of her child.

"A mother’s love flows like water from a stream."

Indeed, the mother is ever ready to shield her child through life’s trials and uncertainties, guiding them through the "soft branches"—metaphors for obstacles ahead. She sings her child to sleep with hope, believing that a bright future awaits. Like the stork, the mother remains by her child’s side, guiding them to school, helping them absorb new knowledge. The mother quietly wonders what the future holds for her child:

"Grow up, grow up, grow up...
What will you become?"

The mother answers, "You will become a poet!" because she hopes her child’s heart remains as pure and beautiful as it was in their youth. To become a poet is to carry the stork's image forever in the child’s mind. These simple, sincere wishes are born from the mother’s boundless love. Through the familiar lullaby, Chế Lan Viên also conveys profound reflections on the beauty of motherhood:

"The stork will always find you,
The stork will always love you.
No matter how much you grow, you will forever be my child,
Throughout life, my love will follow you."

As the child matures, one thing remains constant—the mother’s unconditional love. The lullaby continues to resonate, echoing the profound meaning of maternal love:

"Ah, sleep!...
Sleep, my child!"

Chế Lan Viên skillfully uses metaphor throughout the poem, portraying the sacred beauty of traditional motherhood through the image of the stork. The lullaby’s familiar melody lingers in our hearts, eternally echoing in our minds.

Chế Lan Viên stands as one of Vietnam’s greatest modern poets, known for his profound philosophical reflections and deep intellect. His poetry, like the poem "The Stork," is a vivid illustration of his insights into love, with this particular piece celebrating the sacred and earnest love a mother has for her child. Through the image of the stork, the poem portrays the mother as a symbol of boundless love and selfless sacrifice.

The poem weaves in the soft lullabies of a mother, highlighting her tender love for her child. From the outset, the mother sings her child to sleep with gentle, sweet lullabies:

"You rest in my arms,
You do not yet know the stork,
But in my song, the stork’s wings take flight..."

The child is still innocent and small, but already surrounded by the care and nurturing of the mother. The lullaby speaks of the stork, while also affirming the mother's deep, burning love for her child:

"The stork is alone, it must find its own food,
But you have a mother, you play and sleep peacefully."

The stork must fend for itself, struggling to survive, while the child, with the love of the mother, only needs to eat, sleep, and grow. The mother embodies the spirit of sacrifice, driven by her vast love for her child. Despite the hardships of life, the child is spared from worry, for the mother is always by their side, providing care and comfort.

"Sleep soundly, sleep soundly, little stork, do not fear,
The branch may bend, but my hands are here to lift you."

The mother’s lullaby is a reassurance, allowing the child to drift into a peaceful slumber, filled with protection. Despite life's many challenges, symbolized by the stork’s hardships, the child remains safe in the mother’s embrace. The warmth of the mother's love and her nurturing spirit are felt in her words. No matter how difficult life may seem, the child can rest, knowing they are protected by their mother's love. The love the mother has for her child resonates through the poem, with the mother becoming one with the stork in her desire to always be by the child’s side:

"The stork stands by the cradle,
Then the stork returns to its nest,
When you sleep peacefully, the stork also rests,
The stork’s wings, we share together."

The mother tirelessly cares for every need of her child, ensuring they grow strong. She watches over the cradle, staying by the child’s side until they sleep soundly, then rests herself. The mother’s hope for the future of her child is embedded in this quiet vigil. As the child grows older, the mother remains beside them, walking with them through every step of life’s journey. Whether near or far, the mother’s love and trust are constant, guiding the child’s every step:

"The white stork flies forever without rest,
Before the house,
And in the cool breeze of your words."

The mother’s deep love is reflected in these words, and Chế Lan Viên delivers a message, one of the key philosophical ideas the poet wishes to impart to readers:

"Whether near or far,
Whether climbing mountains or crossing seas,
The stork will always search for you,
The stork will always love you,
Even when you grow up, you will forever be my child,
Through all of life, my love will follow you."

Whether near or far, no matter the distance or obstacles, the mother will always be there for her child, loving them eternally. The power of a mother’s love transcends time and space, forever guiding the child. The final two lines express the poet’s reflection: Even as the child matures and becomes independent, they will always remain their mother’s beloved child, in need of care and protection. This image of the mother is beautiful—one of selfless love, tireless devotion, and boundless affection. Could this not be a representation of all mothers in Vietnam, ever watching over their children?

The lullaby lingers in the hearts of readers, and the image of the mother in the poem leaves us deeply moved, reflecting the virtues of a Vietnamese mother. The statue of the mother will forever remain a symbol of eternal love and sacred motherhood.