1. Sample Essay Number 4

2. Sample Work 5
When we mention the 'child prodigy of poetry' Tran Dang Khoa, we immediately think of his well-known works like 'Rain,' 'The Coconut Tree,' and 'Oh Moon... Where Do You Come From.' His poems are often filled with bright, familiar images, and use simple, straightforward language. He depicts life around him in a vivid and honest way, as seen in his work 'Soldiers Singing Love Songs on the Island.'
The central image of the poem is the soldier on the island. These soldiers stand strong every day, guarding the nation's waters. Tran Dang Khoa skillfully portrays these figures as individuals with beautiful souls, full of optimism and love for life.
Living amidst the vast, turbulent ocean, the soldiers endure difficult and makeshift conditions, often in extreme deprivation:
'Coral rocks form the stage, A few sheets of metal prop up the wings, Don’t blame us for being makeshift, No backdrop can withstand the winds of the Spratlys.'
To create a stage, the soldiers utilize materials readily found in nature, like coral rocks, which are abundant in the waters of Vietnam. The wings of the stage are crafted simply from a few sheets of metal. With just these four short lines, the poet helps us understand the difficult conditions of life on these islands, as well as the relentless force of nature that 'no backdrop can withstand the winds of the Spratlys.'
Despite the makeshift circumstances, the soldiers are never discouraged but instead maintain a cheerful, optimistic spirit:
'The wind stings the face, the island constantly changes shape, Sand and gravel fly like wild birds, Let it be! Hey comrades, Let’s start now. The water machine has begun...'
Every few hours, the Spratly Island transforms, but the soldiers have become so accustomed to this that the powerful winds and flying sand no longer pose a challenge. Their response to hardship is now calm and easy-going: 'Let it be.'
In the third stanza, the poet focuses on portraying the soldier’s image:
'A makeshift stage with several bald heads, The audience, scattered, all with shaved heads, Freshwater is scarce, can’t waste it on hair, Young soldiers, old soldiers, all with shaved heads.'
The performance is unique, with the audience and performers all having shaved heads. In this remote, challenging environment, the soldiers have created their own way to enjoy life. They embrace their creativity and talents, producing performances with 'homegrown' charm. Thus, the stage is filled with bald heads, a reminder of the lack of freshwater. The line 'Freshwater is scarce, can’t waste it on hair' not only explains the 'bald-headed soldiers' but also emphasizes the limited resources they face.
The soldiers on the island also display a vibrant, loving spirit, turning hardship into joy. They laugh and joke, calling each other 'monks' or 'distant relatives of the snail Buddha.' When the bold melody of their song plays, they sing with a deep, emotional tone, expressing their longing. This unique love song is special to those who live on faraway islands. Just like ordinary people, the soldiers long for love: 'Oh, my beloved, where are you from? Is your hair short or long? Who knows? What figures will come to us?' Their sincere song rises from romantic, poetic hearts.
From personal, private love, the soldiers' feelings grow into collective love:
'Let’s sing so the night knows, That our love shines brightly within us, We stand firm amidst endless storms, Vietnam's homeland begins here...'
The repeated phrase 'let’s sing' is like a call to everyone to join in, singing the song of love. It could be the love song of a couple, or it could be the love song of the homeland. Above all, the soldiers place their beloved country at the center of their hearts, drawing strength from the land they protect.
With free verse and simple, clear language, using comparisons like 'Sand and gravel fly like wild birds' and the refrain 'Let’s sing,' Tran Dang Khoa successfully highlights the image of the resilient yet carefree soldiers on the island.
Reading the poem 'Soldiers Singing Love Songs on the Island,' we grow to admire and love those who have dedicated their youth and strength to the homeland. They represent the heroic, courageous generation of Vietnam. We hope that the values and meanings of this work will live on in the hearts of readers.

3. Sample Work 1
Trần Đăng Khoa, often hailed as a "prodigy of poetry," has captivated readers with his simple yet evocative language and familiar imagery. His works resonate deeply, touching the hearts and minds of readers. One such piece, "The Soldier on the Island Singing Love Songs," stands out for its vivid portrayal of the life of soldiers stationed on the frontline, where the waves meet the land.
The poem begins by immediately placing readers in the harsh environment of the island:
"Coral stones set up as a stage,
A few sheets of tin make the wings."
On the island, everything is scarce and makeshift. The stage is crafted from coral stones, and the wings from tin sheets. With just two brief lines, the poet paints a picture of the challenging life of the soldiers. Their hardships are compounded by the unforgiving natural elements:
"Don’t blame us for making do,
No curtain can withstand the winds of Truong Sa."
The familiar address of "you" and "we" reflects the close bond between the soldiers. The speaker's gentle tone conveys that this is merely a casual conversation, offering an explanation for the circumstances. The words subtly highlight the soldiers' resilience, their willingness to face the fierce waves and winds of the ocean.
Despite the lack of material comforts and the harsh conditions, the soldiers maintain an optimistic outlook:
"The wind stings our faces, the island always changes its shape,
Sand and gravel fly like wild birds,
Never mind it. Come on, comrades,
Let’s start. The clouds and water have already taken the stage."
Living in such a vast ocean, the soldiers face countless hardships daily, from windstorms to flying sand. Yet, they remain indifferent, their carefree attitude exemplified by the phrase "Never mind it." These difficulties no longer seem like worries; instead, they focus on their one-of-a-kind stage, with "clouds and water" as the backdrop and a unique audience of their fellow soldiers:
"The stage is filled with bald-headed men,
The audience is also made up of bald-headed soldiers,
Freshwater is so rare, we can't use it to wash our hair,
Old soldiers and young soldiers, all bald-headed and playful."
This quatrain emphasizes the distinctive appearance of the island soldiers, with "bald" appearing three times. Freshwater is scarce on the island, so they avoid using it to wash their hair. All the soldiers, young and old, have chosen to shave their heads to conserve precious fresh water. With a playful tone, the poet vividly captures the soldiers' life on the island—difficult, but not sorrowful. From these hardships, they create joy: "Sometimes we joke and call ourselves 'seniors' or 'distant relatives of the sea urchins'", "Turns out, the senior is singing love songs."
Amid the vastness of the sea, the soldiers' voices are likened to "seniors" singing their unique love songs:
"The melodies are as wild as the sea wind,
But the lyrics are full of longing and love."
While the music is wild and untamed like the sea winds, the lyrics are gentle, filled with longing and affection. This is a unique love song, one that belongs only to the soldiers on the island. As they sing, they express their deep feelings: "On a moonlit night, I’ll walk you around," "My love, where are you?" Using the lyrics, they subtly reveal their sincere feelings: "We are those who love you more faithfully than salt," "Though we don’t know whom to send our letters to." The soldiers' spirits shine through in these lyrics: their optimistic, playful personalities and their innocent, romantic souls. Like any other young man, they long for love and happiness.
This love song is also a passionate hymn to the homeland:
"Sing loudly so the night knows,
That love is burning bright within us,
We stand firm amidst the endless waves,
The homeland of Vietnam starts from here…"
Above all, the soldiers’ hearts beat with love for their country. This love is the fire that fuels their passion, the anchor that gives them strength. Even amidst the endless waves, the soldiers remain steadfast in defending every inch of their homeland. Through this, they affirm that the nation begins in these distant, sacred lands.
The poem ends with a striking image:
"Suddenly, we look behind,
At the edge of the sea, there are so many people,
Oh, it turns out they are all bald-headed stones."
The final verse continues the playful, lighthearted tone of the earlier parts. As the tide recedes, smooth stones resembling bald heads rise above the water. The harsh living conditions are evident in this image.
With its clear, simple language and relatable imagery, the poet brings to life the island soldiers' world. The successful use of literary devices such as comparison—"The melodies are wild like the sea winds"—and repetition—"Sing loudly so"—helps to paint a vivid portrait of the soldiers. They are optimistic, full of life, and deeply committed to defending their country.
Without any flowery language, "The Soldier on the Island Singing Love Songs" is a cheerful and lively poem. Trần Đăng Khoa brilliantly explores the theme of soldiers through everyday, familiar things. Through this work, we come to appreciate the great sacrifices of the previous generations.

4. Sample Reference 2
If we say that words are the essence of art, then poets are true artists. They use words to paint beautiful pictures. Trần Đăng Khoa is one such artist. Through his poem 'The Soldier’s Song on the Island,' vivid images of nature and people come to life. The beauty of these images highlights the significance of their mission: guarding the sacred island. He captures the soldiers' lives from a perspective that is both poetic and grounded in the harsh realities of island life.
'The wind lashes the face, the island keeps changing its shape
Sand and stones fly like wild birds
Let it be! Come on, comrades
Let’s begin, the clouds and water have taken the stage...'
Right from the start, the reader is introduced to the harshness of the island. All there is is sun and wind, and the island constantly shifts its form with the tides. Amid this desolate landscape, wild birds flutter, making the surroundings seem even more forlorn. Every day, the soldiers endure this hardship. Yet, they have grown accustomed to it and face it with calmness. Against this stark backdrop, their resilience and determination shine through, painting a scene dominated by the hues of yellow and green. They remain optimistic, encouraging each other to press on despite the surrounding hardships. To them, as long as they have 'comrades,' there are no difficulties, only joy and excitement. The comparison of the sky and water to a performance, with the stage suspended between heaven and earth, is a unique and captivating image from the poet.
'The stage is dotted with bald-headed soldiers
Viewers are scattered, all bald-headed soldiers
Freshwater is scarce, no one dares to use it for washing hair
Young and old soldiers, all bald-headed, jokingly together'
In moments of joy, they jokingly call each other 'the monk'
Like distant relatives of the snail Buddha
Then they silently listen. Something is shimmering
Turns out it’s the monk singing a love song.'
The following verses continue to depict the severe conditions of the island’s nature. It’s not only the sharp rocks that make life hard for the soldiers, but the environment also takes a toll on their health and daily routines. The soldiers are depicted with shaved heads, regardless of age, as they have all chosen to shave their hair to save precious water. Freshwater is a rare and treasured resource here. Around the island, the only water available is salty seawater, which cannot be used. Something we often take for granted on the mainland is valued here drop by drop. To lighten the heavy atmosphere, the poet uses humor and lighthearted imagery, calling the bald-headed soldiers 'the monk,' which adds a playful touch. The soldiers’ unity goes beyond comradeship; they are like brothers, bound by shared hardships and togetherness, like a family. As the poem reaches its end, the song plays softly, like the gentle waves of the sea. This is the beauty of the interaction between people and nature, when the natural world sings and the soldiers hum a love song in return.
'The melody is wild, like the sea breeze
But the song is filled with longing and love
As night falls, we look at each other, blurred
It feels like the island of stones is speaking...'
'A moonlit night, walking with you in the garden
Your gentle face, and the trees seem brighter
Opening our eyes, the horizon echoes with the sound of the waves
And our hands meet, holding each other'
'My love, where are you now?
Are you tall or short? Who knows?
Who will appear for us?
Looking around, only the gray clouds and water'
'Let’s sing so the waters know
That we are people who love you as steadfastly as the salty sea
Even though we don’t know who to send our love letters to...'
'Let’s sing so the dark night knows
That the love in our hearts is bright here
We stand firm on this distant island against the waves
Vietnam’s homeland begins right here.'
The soldiers’ voices are described as bold and untamed, much like true warriors. Yet the melody they sing is a romantic love song, full of longing and warmth. The lyrics reflect their love for life, optimism, and their yearning for a love that echoes through their youth. As night falls, they momentarily forget the burdens of their duty and allow themselves to dream of a happy future. The imagery that follows is filled with wishes for a future full of love. Detached from the harsh reality, the soldiers are immersed in the beauty of their surroundings, dreaming of a peaceful life. The final two lines, 'We stand firm on this distant island against the waves / Vietnam’s homeland begins right here,' are a solemn pledge. They vow to protect every inch of the land. For them, peace and the unity of their country begin with the serenity of this far-off island.
'The love song continues to rise in pitch
Suddenly, we look back in astonishment
On the edge of the sea, why are there so many people?
Oh, it turns out they are all bald-headed stones...'
After the emotional crescendo, the poet reaches a peak of literary expression. The sudden 'astonishment' hints at something stirring the poet’s soul. It turns out that it’s the bald-headed comrades, bringing everyone back to reality and their responsibilities. However, when reading this part, the reader doesn’t sense any discomfort from the soldiers. They are fully willing to do everything for their beloved homeland.
With simple, yet melodious language, Trần Đăng Khoa uses vivid imagery to help the reader understand the life and people of this remote island. These are people who are courageous, full of spirit, and deeply passionate. Through his poetry, we can vividly imagine these soldiers, their beautiful and poetic lives, as they stand watch over their homeland.

5. Reference Sample 3

