1. Poem: YOUTHFUL DAYS - Lan Thanh
YOUTHFUL DAYS
Poem by Lan Thanh
Every winter comes around
Bringing memories that linger
Oh, the days of longing
The distant times of youth
A sky so endlessly blue
The Russia within my soul
It embraced and sheltered me
Teaching me the ways of life
Time rushes relentlessly
As hands knock on the door
No longer is there Soviet
The pale moonlight is all that's left
The wind, the waves in turmoil
The river still flows calmly?
The boat carries the sunrise
Will the sunset ever pause?
The Birch Forest whispers
Wrapping itself in winter's white
The winding road dreams softly
Waiting for the new day's sun
The Danube flows gently
Its waves peaceful and serene
On both shores, new cities rise
The sound of pigeons fills the air
Innocence and purity
The children of Russia's land
With golden hair and sparkling eyes
Living in kindness and harmony
Oh, how I remember that maiden
In the dance of folk tradition
Her bright dress swaying gracefully
Her eyes sparkling with joy
On a snowy winter day
When the ice covered every path
The dear Russian mother
Journeyed far to visit her child
These memories remain fresh
Though the world around me changes
The vibrant twenties forever green
Left behind in the land of Russia
These memories of love still carry on...


2. Poem: PASSING YOUTH - Nguyễn Đình Cường
PASSING YOUTH
Nguyễn Đình Cường
I have passed through the days of youth
With youthful energy and vibrant moments
Looking at the sky above, the vast sea below
Dreaming of life like the rising waves
The homeland calls my name, filling me with pride
The gleaming uniform and shining cap
Marching together with my comrades
"For the people..." - A proud anthem we sing!
We held tight our guns in hand
Loving the sea, guarding day and night
The distant East Sea, with Spratly in our sights
Unshaken as we live, embracing the shore
The Southwest called, we could not wait
Ten years in the harshness, tasting bitterness
But honor is a truth we live by
Helping others, we found our pride!
The homeland is at peace - and we do not regret
Contributing a small part to the nation's page
Together with ancestors and those who came before
The passing youth - we are content now!
- - - - -
P/s: * Song: "For the People Forgetting Ourselves".
**Border War in the Southwest.
01/12/2018
Nguyễn Đình Cường.


3. Poem: REMEMBERING A TIME - Hoàng Hôn
REMEMBERING A TIME
Poem by Hoàng Hôn
In my youth, I attended the police academy
Joyful days spent with textbooks and lessons
Learning through love in the youthful years
Now, these memories linger, never to fade
I send back the poem from that time
The long white dress under the purple jacaranda tree
I hurriedly picked a branch and gave it to you
Our eyes meeting, filled with wistful longing
In the painting, blending with the white clouds
You were gentle, charming, and so beloved
We were not lovers, yet we shared the same path
After school, we walked the same road together
Beautiful memories, tender and dear
Exchanging fleeting glances with passion
Every night, I was left with dreams so sweet
Remembering your white dress, the fluttering feeling
Now, as summer approaches, my heart stirs with longing
And a rainstorm divides the seasons of the past
The cicadas sing hoarsely, my heart feels restless
Once again, I wish, I wish for that moment
The sweet farewell in the warm sunshine
The red phoenix flowers shyly pass on their message
On the long road, which way will you choose?
The youth of our time now leaves me empty inside
Oh, the memories we gather in the sunlight
The purple jacaranda keeps them forever beautiful
Carved in my heart, the memories of those years
All the love we shared in those youthful days.


4. Poem: SINGING WITH THE RIVER - Hạ Quyên
SINGING WITH THE RIVER
Poem by Hạ Quyên
In Saigon, with green and red lights shining
We met, shedding our loneliness
Centuries later, the ocean still ripples
Endlessly drifting, with thoughts still flowing
Exiled, where can you turn for support?
Far from home, we lean on others far away
Like a boat without a dock, drifting in the wind
Spending a night, leaving behind a bit of love
The journey rushes on, no time for hesitation
Footsteps in a foreign land sketch a distant place
Your innocence, offering love to the sea foam
Which grains of sand will return to the river's embrace?
Who has a child, but not a husband?
Who is confused, not knowing she is a mother?
Who quickly hides the child in fear?
Who in agony abandons their innocent child?
The usual words, blaming young mothers carelessly
Sharp words whispering: "No way, not yet married"
They think: turn off the lights and divide the flame
Not knowing the consequences of youthful days!
When life flows like the river's currents
The boat leaves the shore, pushed by the waves
There is a moment of silence amidst the chaos!
Suddenly, the bitter taste on my lips, the sting in my eyes
Who feels compassion, who sings the mournful song?
"Love came to me when I least expected it"
Which words shed light for the wanderer, no longer afraid?
Which words bring joy to a locked window?
The door to the west is full of energy, peeking to the east
The fragrance of grapefruit carries the sweet smell
Oh love! Stop singing this tune
Return to the river, where the grains of sand are lost! Why?
Love comes, love is as beautiful as a dream
But why is it so fleeting: "Love left, and I have no regrets"?
Don't be so carefree with a passionate life
Send your love to the sea foam! But where will it return?


5. Poem: A TIME OF YOUTH - Nghi Lâm
A TIME OF YOUTH
Poem by Nghi Lâm
You and I shared the same youthful days
Full of dreams and sweet moments to remember
Countless times we met, side by side
And shared the joy of studying together
We went through times of quarrels and complaints
Trivial misunderstandings that came unexpectedly
Leaving me surprised in my bewilderment
As you, hurt, believed I was at fault
Years have passed, but I still remember
The clumsy love of our youth
It was like secretly admiring a stranger
Before we knew each other, then became classmates
Did you know, like clouds, we come together and drift apart?
None of us could have predicted what would happen
After all those years of connection and affection
Parting came, and we walked separate paths
That day, a torrential rain fell
The autumn wind seemed to sympathize with me
How quickly the parting arrived
I wept, feeling the sorrow deep in my heart
Now, I sit in melancholy, pondering life's transience
Thinking of you, far away
Enjoying the lively world, perhaps forgetting
All the memories of the love we once shared
But forget the TIME OF YOUTH
And the love of those dreamy days
Now I write these final verses
Wishing you peace and happiness!
(Saigon, Sunday morning, 02/12/2018) N.L


6. Poem: LOSS AND GAIN - Đinh Thị Hiển
LOSS AND GAIN
Đinh Thị Hiển
The most beautiful time in life is youth
Everyone has their own time of beauty
Happiness in life... gain and loss
Greatly influenced by the youth we live through
Many people in life lament
The things they've gained, lost, or still have
What seemed complete turns out to be flawed
What sounds like a bell may end up hollow
And so, many people wish
If only they could go back to their youth
To make more careful choices
And find a paradise of happiness
If you look further, you’ll find peace
No more complaints about what’s lost or gained
There will be no sadness over wisdom or folly
Because these are the things we truly desire
Looking back, we see how fast youth fades
And we can't help but feel nostalgic
If given another chance, we would try harder
To do even better than before
Oh, youth! A time of pure passion
Young, beautiful, fresh, and full of life
Make the most of it, do good deeds
Making our lives beautiful, and the world too.
Saigon, November 29, 2018
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển


7. Poem: LETTER TO MOM - Trương Túy Anh
LETTER TO MOM
Poem by Trương Túy Anh
Amidst the vast ocean, hearing the waves crash
I miss you, Mom, tears welling up in my eyes
This is the first time I've been away from home for so long
If I say I don't miss you, my heart lies
But don't worry, Mom, I am not alone
There are soldiers here from all corners of the country
We live together under one roof, bound by love
United as one, training hard every day
To protect our land from foreign invaders
In our youth, we always remind ourselves
To keep our weapons ready, never slacken our watch
Our coastline stretches far and wide, so beautiful and vast
With respect and gratitude from the depths of our hearts
Our blood mingles with the ocean’s expanse
For generations, our ancestors have worked tirelessly
To ensure a strong, peaceful, and lasting nation
We are proud to be young, continuing the legacy
Building on the work of our forefathers
The flame of patriotism burns bright in us
Ready to defend our homeland, no matter the enemy
This letter is carried by a seagull
To tell you, Mom, not to worry, stay at ease.


8. Poem: THE TEACHER FROM THE MOUNTAINS - Tuyết Mai
THE TEACHER FROM THE MOUNTAINS
By Tuyết Mai
I admire you, teacher of the mountains
You climb hills, cross streams, visiting every village
Through forest rains and mountain winds, you travel far
Spreading knowledge, both near and far
At night, the mountain winds chill your bones
You turn the pages of your lesson plans, filled with thoughts
The dim light flickers in the darkness
As you teach each word, with the wind howling outside
Carrying knowledge through streams and hills
Your voice echoes through the poor mountain villages
Wherever you step, wildflowers bloom
And the distant wind carries the scent of your journey
Your heart is full of love for the children
Their curious eyes filled with wonder
Though you long to stay, your heart is torn
The mountains are far from the bustling city
I feel for you, young teacher of the mountains
Leaving behind the thriving city to live in the wild
I send you a little love in these lines
A poem that marks the beauty of your life
Tuyết Mai, November 29, 2018


9. Poem: THE TEACHER FROM THE REMOTE AREA - Nguyễn Thị Khánh Hà
THE TEACHER FROM THE REMOTE AREA
By Nguyễn Thị Khánh Hà
Don't worry about me, the teacher from the remote area
I will strive to build bridges of knowledge
Carrying a heart full of passion and fire
Any profession requires great dedication
The passion of youth binds me to my oath
At twenty, I begin my journey full of dreams
Following in the footsteps of our ancestors
Building the future for a prosperous nation
Rest assured, I am a teacher in the deep mountains
I will fall in love with the beauty of the land
Adoring the hills, the trees, the grass
Where memories of love and hope are born
I’m so happy every morning when I head to school
The birds sing and the streams hum by my side
The mountains and forests seem to play melodies
Filling my heart with warmth and sunshine
The music of nature, amidst the deep green
Teaches me to cherish every ray of light, every flower
To love the gentle river and the calm waters
And to embrace the people I meet, though strangers
I will cherish every sun-kissed head
In this poor village, I find my childhood again
The nights in the deep mountains will no longer be lonely
For the sound of children’s voices will fill the air
The humble straw huts will echo with children’s laughter
As long as my heart loves life and children
I see that this life is never dull
Especially when I have you by my side, sharing with me
I trust that everything will fall into place
Even here, with dim lights and no tall buildings
No fancy avenues or cinemas
But I am in love with both the people and the scenery
I will love life
And fulfill my green dreams.
November 29, 2018. MaiLan.


10. Poem: REMEMBERING YOUTH - Hoàng Minh Tuấn
REMEMBERING YOUTH
By Hoàng Minh Tuấn
Forty years have passed so quickly,
Today I sit and reflect on the past,
Remembering seventeen, full of dreams,
So many hopes, waiting for me alone!
The poor countryside, where no one rests,
And still, it was never enough to eat,
Working tirelessly all year round,
Selling our faces to the earth, backs to the sky!
Yet, despite it all, there was never a lack of smiles,
My family understood one another well,
Always praying and wishing,
Hoping to rise above fate and escape poverty!
So, through all the struggles and hardships,
My family and I pressed on,
That university entrance exam back then,
My whole family had their hopes pinned on me!
Perhaps fate smiled upon me,
When I passed, I thought I was still dreaming,
Chosen by the government, I went on
To study a foreign language... far from home!
The European sky, dazzling and bright,
And there I was, a young and innocent man,
So many temptations lay in wait,
But I held my heart steady to weave my life's dream...!
I graduated with honors,
Returned to my homeland after finishing school,
All those dreams I carried with me,
Coming back to make them real brought me joy!
The oath of youth, that once promised,
To break free from poverty,
Now, no more hardships remain,
And youth has long since passed...!
Hà Nội, 30/11/2018


11. Poem: THE SONG OF YOUTH - Phan Thu Hà
THE SONG OF YOUTH
By Phan Thu Hà
There was a time when youth
Walked hand in hand with winter
Carrying the weight of knowledge
And spreading it to the cold, distant lands
There was a time when youth
Kept the forest’s green alive
Bringing electricity to the villages
And calling the crops back to the fields
There was a time when youth
Faced storms in the open sea
On the borderlands of the nation
Guarding every inch of land and sky
There are those whose youth
Offered a pure heart
For the homeland, the motherland
Passing through the days of youth.


12. Poem: SETTING ASIDE PERSONAL MATTERS - Hồng Soi
SETTING ASIDE PERSONAL MATTERS
By Hồng Soi
At twenty, I enlisted for the army
Pushed aside my own matters, focusing on duty
In the barracks, at night I nurtured
My first love, shining with passion
The sea is vast and beautiful
Protected by our ancestors for generations
Under the midnight sky, winds blowing
I watch the moon, but don’t dare to yearn
The path across the sea from years ago
Marks the time we fought for our land
Even today, it remains a stronghold
With unwavering loyalty, now and forever
At twenty, my dreams and aspirations
For our sea, forever rich and beautiful
My youth is tied to the sea and islands
As my hair turns gray, I look forward to our reunion!
November 29, 2018


13. Poem: THE BEAUTY OF YOUTH - Phan Hoàng
THE BEAUTY OF YOUTH
By Phan Hoàng
Youth is full of passion, a fire inside
Always longing to explore new horizons
The path may be rocky and filled with obstacles
But no challenge is too great to overcome!
Youth is driven by burning aspirations
Eager to conquer the world of knowledge
Sharpening willpower and honing wisdom
Growing through countless years of study
Youth is a heart ablaze with love
Building a "paradise of happiness" with friends
But it also holds deep devotion to the homeland
Ready to go the distance when the nation calls
Youth is undeniably beautiful and boundless
With youthful strength diving into life’s journey
Full of dreams and brimming with hope
Ready to face the many trials life may bring!
November 30, 2018
PH

