Top 16 Beautiful Poems by Poet Nguyen Duc

On the 20th day of Tet, news arrived,

Ngoc Dong* bravely sacrificed on the battlefield.

Mother Nga* cried out in sorrow!

Through the night’s bombs and gunfire, she searched for her son.

When Father died, Mother withered away,

She sacrificed for the nation to preserve freedom.

The independence of the nation must be protected,

Father fought in the resistance, defeating the enemy.

But fate is cruel, what could be done?

Father died tragically in the trenches!

Now, her son heads to war again,

Goodbye to comrades, following the heroic example.

Mother Nga is making sticky rice cakes,

Supplying the soldiers to celebrate the great victory.

Heaven, will you ever understand?

The enemy has burned everything, nothing left!

Pity for Mother and her children,

With no shelter, their bodies wasting away in hardship!

But then came the year of the Mau Than Tet,

Soldier Ngoc Nghia* leaves once more.

Wholeheartedly for the country, with no hesitation,

Risking his life, his name etched in golden history.

Mother’s life turned a page,

Determined to make her family proud.

The enemy beats down with guns,

But Mother stands firm, refusing to surrender.

Beaten and tortured each day,

The more she suffers, the more her resolve grows!

Forging the strength in her children,

They fought with fervor, as the nation awaited victory.

On the day of liberation, Mother cried out loud,

Our nation is unified, no more worries.

Lighting incense and praying to the gods,

May the martyrs rest in peace in the heavens.

Returning to Vietnam,

To serve the people, to strengthen the nation.

Poem by Nguyen Duc, July 25, 2019.

The fresh souls, their blood still warm,

Their ideals of life remain as vibrant as ever.

These fresh souls have created greatness,

Countless heroic feats that echo across the heavens.

No battlefield was too daunting for them,

And they proudly declared, we are children of the Vietnamese soil.

The blood of fresh souls flows from noble lineage,

Spilled without regret, without fear.

Decades pass, hair wet, never dry,

Millions of souls, countless hearts,

Have colored the flag of Vietnam with pride.

They have chosen death for the nation’s life.

Decades of smoke and fire,

A stray bullet took you, my friend!

Bomb craters buried and dug,

Your body scattered, torn by time!

But your spirit is pure, a block of brilliance,

Now enshrined in the Heart of the Nation.

Your blood spilled in the deep mountains and valleys,

Staining the earth and sky, from the sea to the clouds.

Thanks to your fresh blood, we have today,

Independence and freedom will endure forever.

Today, before the Martyrs' Memorial,

We light incense to remember them.

May the spirits of the martyrs bear witness,

To their sacrifices, immortalized for eternity.

Poem by Nguyen Duc, July 27, 2019.

I lull life with a vast embrace,
Who do I cradle, in this endless space?
I lull the heart, the sorrowful trace,
Sweetheart, sleep and let your sadness erase!

I lull life to forget its loneliness,
Who do I lull, to end the coldness?
I lull the soul, with its brokenness,
Sweetheart, sleep in dreams of golden bliss!

I lull life to ease the passing time,
Who do I lull, from tears that climb?
I lull the soul through years sublime,
I lull you, until the pain is gone, my dear!

I lull life beneath the hanging moon,
Who do I lull, adrift on waves too soon?
I lull the soul, through each falling tear,
I lull you, as the sorrow disappears!

I lull life amidst the endless forest,
Who do I lull, where dust and ruins rest?
I lull the soul, as hope beats on,
I lull you, by the fire, singing a song!

Nguyen Duc, June 12, 2019.

Knocking on the heart's door, a thousand calls echo,
The wind whispers softly, bringing peace to the soul.
The leaves sway, with silent melodies to know,
They softly sing of memories from a distant goal.

Here, my dear! Life still carries debts untold,
I owe you the first love, so innocent and bold.
As the green hair turns silver, growing old,
And the once-black strands turn white as snow.

Through storms and droughts, through each passing season,
In this life of mine, endless days of treason.
Endlessly carrying, yet never reaching the goal,
The debts of old fill the heart and take their toll.

You gave me your embrace, so full and true,
Lifting me from my despair, to life anew.
You took me from dreams and illusions too,
And led me back to a world of words and hues.

Thank you, my love, amidst the endless tides,
There’s no boundary where my love won’t reside!
The heart’s ache is shallow, but love runs wide,
And the red blood fills our souls with wisdom’s guide.

Thank you, life, for this moment shared,
For loving someone who’s caused you despair.
Thank you, my love, for those moments rare,
You bravely accepted my love, with no compare.

Thank you, love, for allowing me to take,
You are the one I once loved, make no mistake.

Nguyen Duc, June 2, 2019.

Rather be a stone statue,
For the raindrop to fall.
Rather be a blade of grass,
Calling the winds of the changing season.

Rather be a flower in bloom,
Making the world a little more purple,
Rather be a hill of berries,
Stirring memories of the distant past...

Rather be the vast ocean,
Waves crashing on the shore,
Rather be a thousand lifetimes,
Buried in eternal slumber...

Now I am far away, lost in the fog,
Sitting in my prison, bathed in desolate light!

The sky is filled with clouds,
Sorrowful echoes fill the path,
Cold and distant,
Shadows stretch endlessly.

Where can I find it?
A piece of the golden moon,
For the moon has...
Faded since that time.

The new moon, never given time to record,
The years too short to lock away.
From now on, let peace reign,
And be content with the name of stone statue.

Nguyen Duc, May 27, 2019.

It could be, the rain is no longer sad as before... (Ngoc Yen).
The rain falls, heavy with the first signs of the season,
The river of the countryside still sings its peaceful song.
Flow away, O river!
Let me hear your gentle lullaby,
With each silver wave echoing back in the night.

Flow away, O river!
Caress the love of the land,
Let the river lull me into dreams of passion!
Flow away, O river!
Echoing the gentle sway of the water,
When I followed my love and left the wandering life behind.

Meeting you again, in the murky waters of the river,
Spring in full bloom, yet my heart lingers on.
Flow away, O river!
Past the grove of mù u trees,
The leaves have not changed, and autumn’s love feels heavy with gold.

Love exchanged, many times over,
Love calls me back, bringing promises of affection.
Flow away, O river!
Carry my delicate love with you,
As I hear the trembling heart of the one I loved so long ago.

Flow away, O river!
Let love rise again,
Let the heart’s voice remain young, forever untouched by time.

Nguyen Duc, May 24, 2019.

Understanding that this world is transient, we roam freely,
Gathering the jewels of life to repay our debts.
Through virtue, we dissolve our karmic burdens,
We repair our hearts and minds, finding peace.
Fame and wealth are as fleeting as mist,
Gain or loss is like a raindrop falling.
The wandering soul, drunk in mindfulness,
Carrying a flask of poems filled with countless words.

Nguyen Duc

Life is filled with countless struggles,
Can there be peace amidst the days of happiness?
Do not lament, for this is the fate of mortals.
What choice remains between the trials of life?

The path of hardship seems endless,
Those who fall become lost in regret.
Gain or loss leaves the heart scarred,
For we cannot know what tomorrow holds.

What river divides its waters in two,
With one side clear, the other full of sorrow?
One bank is enriched while the other is barren,
Grief lingers in the heart, tangled in longing.

The quiet journey through endless nights,
Fading dreams along the withered road.
Moss-covered paths dance in the wind,
Wild mushrooms, their deep wounds unseen.

Do not wait for a bridge that will never appear,
There is no destiny that sparkles in the distance.
Darkness, oh darkness, becomes deeper,
As the soul waits for the light to shine!

How many times has the soul wandered,
Not knowing where life and death truly lie?
Leaving behind illusions, sowing sorrow,
Seeking liberation through the path of wisdom.

May those with sincere hearts,
Live in awareness, cultivating deep practice.
Ignite the lamp of wisdom, shining brightly,
To escape the cycle of suffering and death.

Poem by Nguyen Duc

I

Wearing the national dress, the graceful ao dai,
Pure and elegant, with each step a flower blooms.
In the countryside, the simple ao ba ba,
The fragrance of the fields, the silhouette of the past.

Walking under the sun, singing in the rain,
Despite the hardship, peace is not yet fulfilled.
Riding elephants, Drung Triệu calls for victory,
You wear the uniform of glory from battles won.

If you love me, please don’t,
Make me confused while marching to the front.
The daughter of Uncle Ho sacrifices herself,
For the greater cause, the nation stands strong.

Personal love aside, I rise above,
With loyalty to the land, I climb the mountains high.
Brave, resilient, and responsible,
Honored by the eight words of Uncle Ho’s wisdom.

To love me is to love the red thread of fate,
So I strive to sharpen my mind.
Graduating, dreaming of the future,
For the beauty of our homeland, and the ever-strong bond between us.

Poem by Nguyen Duc

The village girl, graceful and demure,
Her doe eyes full of soft, endless affection.
Her hair dances in the breeze,
Like a golden autumn painting filling the sky.

She travels a thousand miles through the mist,
Overcoming storms, her spirit glowing like spring.
The path winding, full of struggle,
Her life's purpose clear, spreading harmony in every verse.

Her fate tied to the color of her cheeks,
Loyalty and love etched in her heart.
She gives all of herself, unspoken,
Her love, silent but vast, reaches beyond measure.

Though she falls, she rises again,
Her unwavering courage shines through.
Sadness pushed aside,
She faces life’s challenges with renewed strength.

No matter how the world changes,
Her spirit remains unbroken, her vows eternal.
From her inner sorrows, strength is born,
Creating new paths to her destined future.

Grateful for the blessings of the Three Jewels,
And for the wisdom passed down from her parents.
May her efforts in life bear fruit,
And may she never forget her roots, unwavering and true.

Poem by Nguyen Duc

The legacy of Master Tue Tinh's teachings continues,
Vietnam's medical field shines as bright as the full moon.
Countless doctors work in silence,
Saving lives and nurturing love and care.

From the front lines to the home front,
Selflessly giving, following the example of sages.
Angels in white with a destined role,
Refining their medical ethics, ever diligent and devoted.

Through research and discovery they strive,
Contributing to the advancement of medicine.
They bring life to those in need,
Restoring peace and health to the people.

Fighting relentlessly, battling death's grip,
Defying illness, they embody compassion.
They love others as they love themselves,
Sacrificing, sharing the deep bond of humanity.

As doctors of the people,
They bring smiles to all, regardless of status.
A healer, as caring as a mother,
Spreading hope and trust from the heart.

On Vietnam Doctors' Day,
We give thanks for the doctors' contributions.
Descendants of the dragon, proud and strong,
Living joyful, healthy lives everywhere.

Poem by Nguyen Duc

You have shown great resilience, overcoming hardships,
Never afraid of the storms or fierce winds.
Even when faced with obstacles,
Your determination remains steadfast.

Thirty years marked by memories,
Together, we have achieved our dreams.
Even in moments of confusion,
You patiently sought the way forward.

When we first met, you were full of youth,
Your beauty as radiant as a blooming flower.
Now your hair carries traces of time,
But to me, you will always be my paradise of happiness.

For your love, you care for me and our children,
Unwavering, never distracted.
Even through long, tiring nights,
You ensure our family thrives, with no fear.

Out of love, you give selflessly,
Embodying the compassion of a Bodhisattva.
Your gift to life is like a fragrant flower,
And in your heart, peace and joy resound.

On this March 8th,
I offer you a kiss, filled with true love.
Through every step of our journey,
In the end, we will always be together.

Poem by Nguyen Duc

65 years, and the calendar still holds its color,
Who can predict what tomorrow will bring?
Sitting back with friends, chatting away,
Lost in thoughts, swept up by the emotions.

In January, 1955,
I was born, celebrating my first Tet.
Thus, my life has always felt like a festival,
HONG LE, bright and beautiful like the full moon!

The years have passed, but I remain enchanted,
With eyes wide and cheeks rosy.
I cherish love and friendships,
Holding them close, never to let go!

Wishing a happy birthday to my beloved,
So much love for those dear to me!
My love for my parents remains eternal,
Grateful for the blessings of this world.

On this joyous occasion, I wish you well,
Your beauty still radiates with grace.
Like the phoenix, your warmth spreads far,
The fragrance of love fills the garden of our hearts.

Bac Lieu, a land of salt and the warmth of its people,
A place where the descendants of a wealthy heir invite you to visit.

The fifty-year-old memorial to the revered leader,
History preserved through time, full of deep emotions.

Take me along on this journey,
To the Quan Am Nam Hai Temple, a place of prayers and blessings.

With sacred statues of Bodhisattva's miraculous power,
Saving lives from the struggles of the world.

Visit the revered Uncle Sau Lau’s home,
Where Dạ Lang echoes with memories of old nights.

The legendary Bac Lieu heir welcomes all,
His story becomes immortalized in poetry.

Xiêm Cáng, Vinh Trạch Đông A,
Our long-standing Khmer cultural temple.

At Hung Thien Temple, an incredible sight,
The high Quan Am stands, deeply rooted in compassion!

The wooden Giac Hoa Temple, hundreds of years old,
Its peaceful beauty calms the soul like a watercolor painting.

The ancient Vinh Hung tower stands proud,
Its legacy remains, a mark of human civilization.

At Gia Rai, Noc Nan, memories linger,
The heroic farmers defeated Tournier with bravery.

Father Buu Diep Xavier,
The Tac Say Church stands tall, grand from all sides.

Let me give you a fleeting moment,
Explore the wind turbines, as waves of sound roar around.

In the ecological bird park, happiness flows,
Where the songbirds sing, harmonizing through all four seasons.

The three-hundred-year-old mango tree,
Still bears sweet fruit despite all weather challenges.

The fragrant longan garden invites you,
With ripe clusters, its sweetness overwhelms your senses.

With fresh fish and seafood in abundance,
Boats go out daily to fish in the sea.

And a final adventure awaits,
As we dive into the ocean, catching the precious squid, my friend!

There are many local specialties to try,
Enjoy the crispy pancakes and hot fish stew.

Let me treat you to a delicious crab feast,
The sweet meat, golden roe, an endless delight.

When you visit Ho Nam, you’ll be entranced,
By the soulful tunes of traditional folk music from our land.

Bac Lieu, a land of generosity and deep bonds,
Fertile soil that gives birth to heroes of the nation.

In the past, we’ve met and parted,
Now we build the future together, hand in hand.

Even when I’m far away, I’ll remember this place,
Our bond grows stronger, our love deeper, my friend!

Nguyen Duc, July 19th, 2019.

Your white dress gleams in the spring garden,
Each step light, with love blooming within.
Heading to school as the dawn breaks,
Carrying dreams of a future that will soar.

Innocent and delicate like a flower,
White as the pages of your schoolbook.
Your soul pure, shining brighter,
With hope and trust lighting up your path.

The school bell calls, urging you to go,
Spring of 2020 invites your carefree spirit.
Respect for teachers, their noble presence,
Fondness for your teacher, graceful and gentle.

Endlessly walking the long road,
Spreading wisdom with every word.
The teacher, a guide through troubled waters,
Carrying the lessons of history and culture, as the boat moves forward.

Spring arrives, bringing another year, you study with zeal,
Wearing a new dress in the land of dreams.
The nation waits, ready to be shaped,
Together, we build a prosperous Vietnam.

Poetry by Nguyên Đức, January 14, 2020.