1. Poem: STUDENT YEARS
STUDENT YEARS
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển
The sky is clear, the clouds are high
But why does my heart feel so restless?
The birds are flying from the north to here
Perhaps it's cold up there, both day and night
Do my friends from those northern lands still remember me?
Five years as friends, like plants and trees
Five years of books and study, side by side every day
Those days when bombs rained down on us
The year we were evacuated, returning to school
One year of hard labor, yet filled with so much love
Hardships, but we still found joy
Those were the days we dreamed of, wishing for the skies
Going on field trips, doing the work we loved
Turning the page of life with our hands
Students in those days lived in honor
Admired by others, shining brightly
We went to class together, side by side
Shared our joys, our tears, and everything in between
Our class meetings filled with laughter
We encouraged each other to study, every one of us worked hard
In the lab, doing experiments
Creating new life, feeling content
Collecting parasitic fungi from pests
Waiting for them to grow, while the pests would perish
Teachers and students, so happy and united
The results we achieved, our laughter echoed
My dear friend, I miss you so much
With the moonlight shining, I think of you...
Ho Chi Minh City, November 3, 2018
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển

2. Poem: HAPPINESS IS WITHIN US
HAPPINESS IS WITHIN US
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển
Should we dream of picking stars from the sky?
The sky is so vast, so many stars... is it possible?
Should we dream of having gold and silver?
Things not readily available from the heavens... what do we think about it?
Should we dream of sitting high up?
If the mind isn't sharp, the jailhouse waits for us.
Happiness is not something distant
Happiness is very close, my friend...
Happiness comes when our family works together,
Sharing effort, singing, united in spirit
When everything is done,
The joy will arrive, right in our hearts.
Joy comes to those who understand themselves,
Who know what they are doing, who don't repeat mistakes.
Everyone longs for happiness,
We all want to hold it in our hands.
Happiness is very close to us,
Within you, within me, and our loved ones.
If we let go... happiness slips away,
Only to realize it too late, when we close our eyes.
Ho Chi Minh City, October 26, 2018
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển

3. Poem: THE SEASON TRANSITION NIGHT
THE SEASON TRANSITION NIGHT
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển
Tonight... the cold wind sweeps in
Autumn quietly falls...drifting into the blue sky
The golden daisies look around in confusion
The chill creeps in, eyes glisten with tears
Remember autumn... the golden daisies stop smiling
The golden autumn, with daisies blooming, inspires many poets.
Look... the daisies wait
Eyes wide open, lost in love
Yes! Don’t be startled
Winter arrives... the daisies bloom... an innocent love begins.
Such a beautiful love, with three weeks of dreaming
The daisies too, abandon autumn and wait for winter to come
The laws of nature are unyielding...
Autumn must leave... winter will take its place.
Ho Chi Minh City, October 22, 2018
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển

4. Poem: MY SISTER'S SADNESS
MY SISTER'S SADNESS
Poetry by Đinh Thị Hiển
My dear sister!
What are you thinking... as your distant eyes stare?
Is it? Have you been sleep-deprived for several nights?
The dark circles under your eyes speak volumes
Oh, my sister! You’ve suffered for most of your life.
You married young, not yet twenty
Within a month, your husband joined the army
Leaving you with a budding child
Your baby was born without ever seeing his father
You raised the child, cared for your mother in place of your husband.
Four years later, the news of your husband’s death in battle came
Yet you continued raising the child, playing both the roles of mother and father
A woman with one child, a beauty to behold
The men in the village longed to win your heart.
People praised you... diligent... loyal
The wife of a fallen soldier, a source of comfort to many.
But today, you seem truly burdened
Sad because... your daughter-in-law doesn’t understand you
The home you once knew... where warmth resided, now feels cold
Though the war is over... the pain remains
Everything’s been taken from you... leaving no joy behind
Take care of yourself, dear sister...
Your husband would be happy to see you smile.
Ho Chi Minh City, October 18, 2018
Poetry by Hiển Minh

5. Poem: TRUE HAPPINESS
TRUE HAPPINESS
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
The winter blossom, a beauty untold
Amid the cold, your spirit remains bold
Named queen of the season, a radiant bloom
Adored by all, do you know your tune?
Stay with me, let life bloom bright
With you, my days are filled with light
Together we’ll build, the dreams we seek
We’ll share in love, so pure, so sweet
November shines, with joy so bright
Have you joined me, to make it right?
Let us celebrate, our wedding day
Our life will shine, love will forever stay.
November 24, 2018
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển

6. Poem: SPRING FESTIVAL
SPRING FESTIVAL
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
Oh Spring, how wonderfully beautiful you are
Bringing warmth and sunlight to all we know
Young and old, no longer feeling the cold
Swallows soar above, graceful in the sky
The trees sprout new life, reaching for the light
Gentle spring rain falls from the sky
The streets are busy, as people pass by
Hand in hand, we wander and smile, so bright
Peach blossoms, apricots, a stunning sight
Kumquats hang low, their fruits golden and bright
Pomelo and betel nuts, joyfully in bloom
Bananas and melons fill the room
Don’t forget to buy what’s needed, they say
For the fruit tray must not be incomplete on this day
Prepare the offerings with care, with love
For our ancestors, with blessings from above
Remember, on this day, fill it with joy
Leave no sadness, no sorrow, no ploy
Spring, you shine brighter than the rest
Your arrival brings the year’s best
Trust in a year of health and wealth
May we strive and grow, bringing joy and good health
Celebrate together, everyone’s cheer
Wishing for a prosperous and happy year.
January 2, 2019
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển

7. Poem: WINTER WHISPERS
WINTER WHISPERS
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
I heard that the north is freezing cold
But in my heart, there's worry yet untold
The chill of winter seeps into my soul
Since I was young, it has always taken its toll
I remember the cold drizzle, biting through
The winter chill, as mother worked, her task true
Planting yams and rice in the fields
We ate simple meals, but she held hope that yields
Her wish was for me to grow well and straight
Mother, I remember, my love will never abate
Now December’s cold has arrived
And I gather some sunshine, to help me survive
It warms my heart, easing the longing inside
When you’re not here, and I’m far from your side
You send the cold, and yet together we feel warm
We both smile as the cold brings us closer, keeping us calm
Time flies so quickly, the year has almost gone
In just a few days, it will have passed and been drawn
Looking back, I’m filled with peaceful joy
In the year that’s passed, no wrong did I deploy
Our children are happy, both of us eagerly await
For what the new year brings, with hearts full of faith
Last night I dreamt of you
With a ticket in hand, at the airport too
Our family gathered, all in cheer
We welcome Christmas, with hearts sincere.
SG, December 14, 2018
Poem by Đinh Thi Hiển

8. Poem: HAI VAN PASS
HAI VAN PASS
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
The Hai Van Pass stands tall, its beauty rare
The green hills, the blue sea, together they share
Birds sing, building nests in the trees
Clouds drift around, playing in the breeze
The trees stand firm, nestled by the mountain's side
The vines twist and climb, reaching for the sky
At the pass, noble souls meet with grace
Finding joy in the breathtaking place.
May 25, 2018
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển

9. Poem: GOODBYE
GOODBYE
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
Let’s sit together for just a while longer
So this moment can linger, and love grow stronger
Turn around, look into each other’s eyes
For soon we’ll have to part, no more goodbyes
One day, we’ll take separate paths
I’ll stay here, and you’ll go far away
But when the longing hits, what should we do?
Ah yes, we’ll just turn to Facebook too
We’re both mothers now, who can’t be apart
When our children need us, we’ll play our part
Sometimes we’ll meet, sometimes we’ll part
It’s the way of life, though it breaks my heart
You go now, may peace and joy be with you
Send my greetings to your family too
Remember to come back to the place we’ve known
Saigon awaits, and will always call you home...
April 1, 2018

10. Poem: A TEACHER WANTS THE BEST FOR HER STUDENTS
A TEACHER WANTS THE BEST FOR HER STUDENTS
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
More than twenty years away from school
Today, the students gather for a reunion
Inviting teachers to join the discussion
What could be better than meeting these good students?
The longing... has filled my heart
The students share the stories they’ve made
I feel happy when they’ve succeeded
With families, happy, and well-behaved children
Teachers and students rejoice at the banquet
The party is ending... the students bring up a story
They tease me... for not letting them fall in love
Now there’s no couple in the class
I laugh... how can I explain?
If I allowed love, would they pass their exams?
Well, I’ll correct my mistake, it’s okay
Today, you can fall in love again... is that alright?
But just for today... remember?
When you get home, it must stop, understood?
If anyone likes anyone, they can pair up
I’ve seen it before...
Don’t file complaints... got it?
November 14, 2018
Poem: Đinh Thi Hiển

11. Poem: WOMEN AND ROSES
PHỤ NỮ VÀ HOA HỒNG
Thơ Đinh Thị Hiển
Hoa hồng đẹp, bởi hương và sắc
Cánh mỏng, hương thơm rất đậm đà
Bảo vệ bản thân, bằng gai nhọn
Hoa hồng đẹp...thật hoàn hảo mà
Người đời ái mộ,hoa hồng em
Thần của tình yêu...ai cũng mến
Họ đem em đến, để cầu hôn
Khi được vợ rồi thì... bỏ mặc
Bạn ơi ...nữ cũng giống hoa thôi
Chưa được thì... luôn săn đón, mời
Lời ngon tiếng ngọt, sắp bày sẵn
Thành vợ ...có khi...sao đổi ngôi.
SG ngày 02 tháng 11 năm 2018
Thơ: Đinh Thị Hiển

12. Bài thơ: KỶ NIỆM KHÓ QUÊN
KỶ NIỆM KHÓ QUÊN
Thơ Đinh Thị Hiển
Hồi đó tôi đang học cấp ba
Lệ thường hơn ba giờ thức giấc
Ăn sáng xong, tôi rảo bước tới trường
Trường sơ tán hơn mười cây số
Đi tắt cánh đồng, khoảng chín cây
Hôm đó trời mưa, đường trơn trượt
Tôi chẳng may, bị ngã sóng soài
May quá túi sách chỉ bẩn ngoài
Quần áo thì sơn màu đất
Không sao... gột nước là sạch hết
Lại tiếp tục con đường đến lớp
Vẫn đúng giờ vào lớp không sao
Cái đầu hôm đó,không sáng chút nào
Đang nghe giảng, tiếng trống kêu vang
Tiếng loa báo, máy bay Mỹ oanh tạc
Cả lớp xuống hầm, tránh bom rơi
Nhìn mặt mọi người,đều hoảng sợ
Cây khế cạnh hầm, làm mắt lại sáng lên
Trái khế chua,làm ai cũng thấy thèm
Chẳng ai bảo ai,đều hái đưa vào miệng
Rồi sự sợ hãi kia, cũng bay biến
Bỗng có tiếng nổ chói tai
Căn hầm chúng tôi ngồi rung chuyển
Bom không trúng, mà rơi xuống mé sông
Cô và trò, thở phào nhẹ nhõm
Tiếng ồn ào, còn náo động chưa thôi
Nỗi kinh hoàng,còn hằn trên gương mặt
Buổi học lại tiếp tục như thường
Cô giảng cô nghe, trò im lặng
Chỉ mong hết giờ học để về
Về đến đầu làng...
Mẹ đón con, rồi ôm tôi òa lên khóc
Không sao rồi...mẹ của con ơi
Rồi một ngày kia, mẹ tôi lại khóc
Mẹ khóc vì vui ...con mẹ đỗ đại học rồi.
SG ngày 31 tháng 10 năm 2018
Thơ: Đinh Thị Hiển

13. Poem: FLOODED RAIN
FLOODED RAIN
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
The rain falls from the sky above
The rain pours heavily, non-stop
The rain makes the trees sway
The rain keeps falling, never ceasing
The roads are flooded now
Water flows across the path
The flooding continues
Traffic has come to a halt
How can I go to school?
The teacher will scold me
But my mother is here
She’ll explain to the teacher
It’s the rain’s fault, not mine
Blame it on the sky, not me
I beg the teacher to punish the rain
Tomorrow when I grow up
I’ll fix the roads, make them better
Cars will drive smoothly
Despite the constant rain
SG, October 8, 2018
Poem by Hiển Minh

14. Poem: CLOUDS! I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND LIFE
CLOUDS! I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND LIFE
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
Some say that beauty grants power
That beauty means one can have their way
But is this true for you, my dear?
You are beautiful, like a white rose
At dawn, you wear a pink dress
And with the wind, you glide through the sunlight
I watch you and fall under your spell
There are times when the sun hides
Perhaps it’s afraid of you or in awe
It hides behind the clouds like a timid soul
In moments like this, everyone adores you
And they exchange loving glances
Oh my cloud, you are truly wonderful
There are times when you suddenly appear
Wearing a cloak as dark as a storm
And the world whispers: a tempest is coming
Then there are times when I don’t understand
When your anger erupts, so unexpected
At those times, I fear you, my dear
The storm rages, tearing through the world
You call on winds, thunder, and lightning
Your tears flood the earth
The storm brings pain and sorrow
Buildings fall, lives are lost in tragedy
I love you, I love the whole world
So I ask you, please don’t be sad, don’t be angry
Let our love be without limits
That’s all I wish... I hope you understand life
SG, October 14, 2018
Poem by Hiển Minh

15. Poem
XUÂN ĐẾN
Xuân ơi! Xuân đã đến nơi rồi
Xuân mang niềm vui, đến mọi người
Xuân mang tiếng cười, trong sung sướng
Mang niềm vui và nụ hôn trao
Mang hạnh phúc, sung sướng tuôn trào
Cho chim trời, tung cánh bay cao
Cho muôn hoa... đào, mai hé rạng
Tỏa nắng vàng, mùa xuân tươi sáng
Chúc mừng ta, chắp cánh ta bay.
Xuân đến ! Mở đầu năm mới là mùa xuân, mang niềm vui đến với mọi gia đình.Ta đón nhận, ta tin tưởng vào sự cố gắng, sẽ có một năm mới thắng lợi và đầy ắp tiếng cười
SG ngày 27 tháng 12 năm 2018
Thơ: Đinh Thi Hiển

16. Bài thơ: NIỀM VUI NĂM MỚI
NIỀM VUI NĂM MỚI
Thơ Đinh Thị Hiển
Trời xanh mây trắng
Nhìn đẹp mắt thay
Mây cứ bay bay
Trời nắng cứ nắng
Nhìn trời nhìn nắng
Mây trắng lững lờ
Lòng mình như mơ
Say trong cảnh đẹp
Con đường thẳng tắp
Vữa mới làm xong
Đường rộng thênh thang
Người, xe tấp nập
Trẻ em đi học
Cười nói râm ran
Người bán hàng rong...
Mua hoa ngày tết
Trời đẹp lòng vui
Tết đến nơi rồi
Ngày mai năm mới
Thật vui phải rồi
Một năm trôi mau
Tóc bà bạc màu
Cháu cao lên mau
Một phép nhiệm màu
Hãy ngồi cùng nhau
Bàn bạc năm sau
Nhà,nước mạnh giàu
Cùng nhau cố gắng
Năm mới hy vọng
Hơn năm nay thôi
Cả nước mừng vui
Đón mừng chiến thắng
Ngày 28 tháng 12 năm 2018
Thơ: Đinh Thi Hiển

17. Bài thơ
ĐẸP THAY QUÂN ĐỘI NHÂN DÂN VIỆT NAM
Thơ Đinh Thị Hiển
Cả đời em chẳng yêu ai
Yêu anh bộ đội, có tài đánh tây
Câu hò ngày ấy, còn đây
Vang vọng bến nước, đường cầy đảm đang
Nếu không chiến thắng vẻ vang
Chưa xong nhiệm vụ, đừng màng cưới em
Em ơi..đợi nhé. ..không hèn
Sau khi thắng lợi, làm quen cũng vừa
Ru hời...trên võng đò đưa
Ngủ đi còn giặc, cha chưa thể về
Giọng hò,lời ru đê mê
Tạo nên sức mạnh, diệt bè xâm lăng
Bộ đội càng đánh càng hăng
Bè lũ cướp nước, trực thăng lộn nhào
Lời bác dặn dò hôm nào
Quân đội làm tốt, không sao nhãng lòng
Quân đội Việt Nam anh hùng
Luôn luôn tỏa sáng, trong lòng nhân dân
SG ngày 19 tháng 12 năm 2018
Thơ: Đinh Thi Hiển

18. Poem: LOSS AND GAIN
LOSS AND GAIN
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
Life's most beautiful stage is youth
Everyone experiences a time of beauty
Happiness in life... what we gain, what we lose
Greatly influenced by the passing years of youth
Many lament over what they have lost
What was gained, what was lost, what remains
What seems perfect may turn out flawed
What rings loud like a bell may be hollow
Then... many wish they could turn back
To relive youth with wiser choices
To find a heaven of happiness
But when you look further ahead, you'll realize
That there is no need to complain about loss or gain
You won't mourn foolishness or wisdom
For these are the things you truly desire
Looking back... youth passes quickly
And I too feel regret and longing
If I could go back, I'd try even harder
To improve on what I did before
Youth, oh youth! A passionate spirit
Young, beautiful, with a pure heart
Striving to do good, make life better
For oneself and for the world
SG, November 29, 2018
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển

