Top 5 Best Essays Analyzing the Poem 'Chieu Song Thuong' (Literature 7 - Kết nối tri thức Textbook)

'Oh, where do the rivers begin?'

'And when they return to their homeland, they bring a song.'

'People sing as they row boats, pull ferries, and cross rapids,

Reminding of the many forms and the many colors of rivers flowing.'

The verse 'The many flowing rivers' is not just beautiful in nature, but has also become a symbol of nostalgia and longing in the works of countless poets and artists. It's found in the Vàm Cỏ Đông River in Hoài Vũ's poetry, the 'green-blue' homeland river in Tế Hanh's verses, the 'Đuống River flowing with a sparkling stream' in Hoàng Cầm's lines, the Đà Giang River 'spilling endlessly' in Nguyễn Tuân's essays, and the soft Hương Giang River, like a silk sheet, in Hoàng Phủ Ngọc Tường's memoirs.

Hữu Thỉnh brings us another beautiful piece, inspired by the river of his homeland, Kinh Bắc: the Thương River. 'Chieu Song Thương' is written in five-character verses, with 32 continuous lines, creating the sensation that the entire poem is a flowing surge of emotions, suddenly rushing forth in a moment.

The time and space setting is evoked right from the title and the opening lines: the emotional moment takes place on a fall evening, and the setting is the peaceful, fertile Thương River. The evening time often evokes feelings of longing and nostalgia, especially for those far from home. So, even before 'returning to the village gate,' when the poet sees the familiar river, memories and emotions flood his mind. It seems that for each person, the river of their homeland leaves deep thoughts and emotions. That's why there are so many beautiful poems written about that familiar, cherished river. For everyone, their homeland river is beautiful in its own way. In Hữu Thỉnh's perception, the Thương River is a picturesque stream, flowing serenely through a fertile countryside:

'Walking through the entire autumn day,

Still not reaching the gate,

The quan họ flowers linger,

Blossoming purple by the Thương River.'

'The water remains a twin stream,

The evening is still the sickle’s curve,

What the river wants to say,

The sails are singing along.'

'Clouds over Việt Yên,

Throw shadows towards Bố Hạ,

The rice bends, hiding its fruit,

The fields tremble with the green wind.'

'The water flows gently,

The new rice sprouts above the sticky mud,

Giving a face to the season’s harvest,

The land is prosperous.'

'All that I hope for,

Will soon turn golden in all directions,

The familiar riverbanks seem like a fairytale,

With girls by the water pumps,

Eyes long like a betel knife.'

'Oh, the river is brown,

Oh, the river is blue,

Offering the coming harvest,

Supporting the new season.'

The beauty of the river is crafted through special imagery: The quan họ flowers. But what exactly are these flowers? Only when we encounter the purple hue in the following line do we realize that it's the color of the water hyacinth—so familiar and gentle. The clusters of purple water hyacinth drift across the calm water:

'The water remains a twin stream,

The evening is still the sickle’s curve.'

The scene remains unchanged, enduring in its eternal existence. Yet, why does it evoke so much nostalgia? The poetic charm in Hữu Thỉnh's words is found in the 'blurred' meaning. What is 'the evening's sickle'? 'What the river wants to say, the sails are singing'—what does that mean? It’s difficult to impose a rigid interpretation onto these lines. We can only sense, through the 'song,' the image of a joyful, abundant river—one that carries alluvial deposits that nourish the fields of Kinh Bắc, with boats going back and forth.

The landscape of the Thương River at dusk is further embellished by lovely imagery: clouds casting shadows onto the river, creating a peaceful, tranquil scene. The word 'casting' doesn't evoke sadness but appears in a context full of other beautiful images:

'The rice bends, hiding its fruit,

The fields tremble with the green wind.'

'The water flows gently,

The new rice sprouts above the sticky mud.'

The bent rice stalks hide the promise of a bountiful harvest; the words 'the fields tremble' evoke an image of fertile, healthy fields; the gentle flowing water symbolizes rich, nourishing alluvial soil; the new sprouts of rice emerging from the sticky mud are symbols of new life, continuing to grow and multiply. These vibrant, beautiful images, articulated through Hữu Thỉnh's masterful use of language, help readers visualize the prosperous, thriving agricultural landscape of Kinh Bắc. This image contrasts sharply with the war-torn Kinh Bắc described in other poetry: 'Our fields are dry, Our houses are burning, Our dogs run wild...'

Today, Kinh Bắc has transformed, adopting a new face, a new 'expression': 'Giving a face to the season’s harvest, the land is prosperous.' This beautiful metaphor further enhances the imagery of a fertile, thriving countryside, brought to life through the poet’s deep pride in the development of his homeland. The phrase 'our homeland' rings with a sense of pride, yet remains deeply familiar and beloved. Everything the poet hoped for and dreamed of for his homeland has already come to fruition: 'All that I hope for, will soon turn golden in all directions.' The wish for a prosperous homeland is a heartfelt longing for those far from home, yearning for their roots. Now, seeing the bountiful harvest and the vibrant land, the poet feels immense joy and gratitude. The line bursts with a sense of joy—the joy of dreams coming true. The metaphor 'turning golden' and the phrase 'in all directions' evoke not only the image of vast fields shining in golden light but also the vision of abundant, fruitful harvests.

Overcome with a deep sense of happiness and gratitude, the poet thanks the Thương River for all it has given to his homeland:

'The alluvial deposits are so familiar,

Like something from a fairytale.'

The alluvial deposits of the Thương River, which nourish the Kinh Bắc fields, are familiar—providing sustenance across time, perpetually. What’s special is that the poet sees these alluvial deposits as a magical force, like a fairy tale, bringing prosperity to the entire region. The poet’s simple, gentle language imbues this idea with depth and profound emotion. The final lines of the poem are like a joyful song, resonating from the heart of a child returning home to see the land flourishing:

'Oh, the river is brown,

Oh, the river is blue,

Offering the coming harvest,

Supporting the new season.'

The poem concludes with two repetitions of the word 'Oh.' Whether the river is brown, rich in alluvial soil, or blue, shimmering with the autumn light, it is a river that brings life to the land. The words 'offering' and 'supporting' encapsulate the river’s deep affection for the land and people of Kinh Bắc. This river 'offers' the coming harvest and 'supports' the new season with its nourishing alluvial soil, brought from the river’s source.

The poem is not only a beautiful picture of the Thương River of Kinh Bắc but also a deep expression of the poet's love and pride for the river, his homeland, and his country. All of this is conveyed through the five-character verse form, rich in rhythm, with simple yet evocative words that paint vivid, nostalgic imagery.

Oh, where do the rivers start, that when they reach our homeland, they bring forth a song? People sing as they row the boats, navigating rapids, evoking countless shades and forms as the rivers flow.”

“The rivers’ countless forms” are not only beautiful in nature, but have also become symbols of longing and nostalgia in the writings of countless poets. These include the Vàm Cỏ Đông in Hoài Vũ’s poetry, the “emerald” river of the homeland in Tế Hanh’s verses, the “Đuống River flowing in a glistening stream” in Hoàng Cầm’s poetry, the Đà River that “flows endlessly” in Nguyễn Tuân’s essays… and the Hương River, soft as silk in Hoàng Phủ Ngọc Tường’s memoirs.

Hữu Thỉnh has also brought forth a beautiful poem inspired by the Thương River in Kinh Bắc. “Afternoon on the Thương River” is written in the five-character verse form, with 32 continuous lines, no breaks, creating a sense of emotions flowing like a powerful current that rushes into the poet’s mind in a split second. The time and place are established right from the title and the first few lines: the moment of feeling takes place in an autumn afternoon, and the setting is the calm, bountiful Thương River. The afternoon often evokes feelings of longing, especially for those far away from their homeland.

Even though the poet has not yet “reached the gate,” seeing the familiar river of his homeland floods his mind with emotions. It seems that for everyone, the river of their homeland leaves behind deep and lasting reflections. This is why so many beautiful poems have been written inspired by the familiar, beloved river. For each person, their homeland’s river is beautiful in its own way. To Hữu Thỉnh, the Thương River is a poetic river, flowing peacefully through a rich, fertile land:

Traveling all day

The autumn has not yet reached the gate

The Quan họ flowers delay...

The moon is young, the grapefruit’s segments

By the bridge, the calf waits

The fish of the afternoon swim across the river

The beauty of the river is depicted through vivid imagery: the Quan họ flowers. Who knows what “Quan họ flowers” are? Only by touching the purple hue in the next line can one imagine that they are the purple water hyacinths – a soft, familiar, and tender image.

Bunches of purple water hyacinths float down the calm river at night: “The water is still, both streams/ the afternoon still, like a sickle.” The scenery remains unchanged, existing in its eternal nature, yet it evokes so much longing and nostalgia.

The poetic beauty of Hữu Thỉnh’s expression lies in the “blurry” meaning of the lines. What exactly is meant by “the afternoon sickle”? And what is being expressed by “What the river wants to say/the sail is singing”? It would be forced to impose a rigid interpretation on these lines. Instead, we can only feel through the “singing” the image of a vibrant, fertile river – a river that carries silt to nourish the fields of Kinh Bắc; a river that carries boats with sails full, traveling far and wide.

The picture of the afternoon Thương River is further enhanced with beautiful strokes: the image of clouds casting shadows over the river, creating a serene, peaceful atmosphere. The word “casting” does not convey sadness, as it is accompanied by many other beautiful images: The rice bundles hide their fruit/the fields kissed by the green breeze/the water flows gently/ within the irrigation ditches/the young rice sprouts new leaves/on the muddy surface, life renews.. In the shape of the rice bundles hiding their fruit, there is the joy of a bountiful harvest; in the words “the fields kissed,” we see the image of lush, healthy fields; in the gently flowing water, there is the nourishing silt; in the young rice sprouts growing from the mud, there is the rebirth of life.

All that the poet hopes for his homeland has already been realized or is in the process of coming true: “What we entrust/somewhere will soon turn golden.” The wish for a prosperous, thriving homeland is the heartfelt longing of those far from home, who yearn for their homeland. And now, witnessing the scenery and the crops of his homeland at their peak, the poet cannot help but feel joyous and content. The verse rises like an exclamation of joy – the joy of dreams coming true. The metaphor “golden” and the phrase “all around” evoke more than just a simple description of golden fields. They represent endless fields glowing with a warm golden light, symbolizing a bountiful harvest that is thriving.

The final verses of the poem ring like a jubilant song, reverberating from the heart and soul of the poet, who returns to witness his homeland flourishing with life: “Oh, the brown river/ Oh, the emerald river (Offering to the harvest to come / Nourishing the season of new beginnings).” The emotion in the poem resonates through the repeated “Oh.” Whether it is the river heavy with silt, the brown river during the flood season, or the clear, emerald river in the autumn, both are rivers that bring life to this land. The verbs “offering” and “nourishing” encapsulate the river’s deep love for the land and the people of Kinh Bắc.

This river has “offered” its gifts to the upcoming harvest and will “nourish” the season of new beginnings with all the rich silt that it carries from its source.

The autumn evening by the Song Thuong River, in the Bố Hạ region of Việt Yên, creates a timeless artistic moment filled with emotions. The traveler, perhaps a soldier returning home, gazes with fondness and nostalgia at the familiar sights. The evening, especially in autumn, often carries a sense of melancholy, but 'Evening at Song Thuong' evokes warmth and longing. The traveler, returning to his hometown, seems to embrace the landscape with his eyes, and his soul feels united with the surroundings. His steps are slow, reluctant, as if trying to hold on to the beauty of his hometown. It is perhaps the image of a beautiful girl from Kinh Bac, whose presence is felt in every part of the river, making it appear 'purple' as it flows along his path:

"Walking all day long, Autumn hasn't reached my door, Reluctantly, the Quan Ho flower Blooms purple along Song Thuong."

The Song Thuong river, the symbol of motherland and youth, always carries memories and love: "In the river's flow, the youth looks to the distant shore"... The scene is vibrant with life: the sunset, a field at harvest time, and the crescent moon on the horizon. The imagery is both poetic and full of vitality, evoking the deep connection between nature and human emotions:

"The river speaks in whispers, The sail sings in the breeze, The clouds over Việt Yên Cast their shadow over Bố Hạ."

The poet, returning to his homeland, stands mesmerized by the landscape—his heart warmed by the sight of the lush fields. The autumn wind turns into a 'green breeze,' while the rice bends low under the weight of its grain. The river flows gently with the color of fertile soil, evoking a sense of calm and nostalgia:

"The river flows softly, Carrying the weight of the earth, Among the irrigation channels."

The natural world, from its lines and colors to the abundance it suggests, reflects the enduring hope and vitality of the land. The fields, the golden rice, the river full of memories—everything breathes life and history. The poet also recalls the women of Kinh Bac, hardworking and graceful, a stark contrast to the playful images of other folk songs. Here, the women appear through their labor, their strength, and their quiet grace, carrying a deep sense of longing for their loved ones:

"The girls watch over the water pumps, Their eyes sharp like a blade of betel leaf."

The traveler, touched by the beauty of his homeland, softly hums a song, his heart brimming with love for the place of his birth. His words are filled with emotion, capturing the timeless affection for the land he holds dear:

"Oh, the river, brown and clear, Oh, the river, deep and green, Offering the harvest season, Giving birth to new beginnings."

The beauty of the river, the evening sun, the scent of grapefruit flowers, and the waiting calf by the bridge all evoke the peace and simplicity of rural life, imbued with memories and love:

"The autumn sun spreads wide, The crescent moon smells of grapefruit, By the bridge, the calf waits, As the evening river flows."

The scenery of the homeland is serene and picturesque, a perfect picture of love and connection. The poem 'Evening at Song Thuong' forever lingers in the heart, just as the Song Thuong River intertwines with the timeless words of folk songs.

Reading Hữu Thỉnh's poetry, one can feel the deep sensitivity and subtle beauty of nature, the land, and the people of Vietnam. Particularly, the poem 'Evening at Song Thuong' evokes a deep emotional response from readers with its familiar images and heartfelt verses, bringing to life the atmosphere along the Song Thuong River and the poet's sincere feelings.

The poem opens with a portrayal of the emotional state of the speaker:

"Walking all day long, Autumn hasn’t reached the door yet, Reluctantly, the Quan Ho flower Blooms purple by the river’s edge."

The autumn afternoon, filled with a gentle sadness, seems to envelop the entire scene. The quiet air of the season holds the traveler back, as he has not yet reached his doorstep. Upon encountering the familiar sight of the blooming Quan Ho flower, the speaker gazes at the scene:

"The river remains, two currents side by side, The evening remains, a curved sickle in the sky, What the river wishes to say, The sail sings it out."

The repetition in the structure of "The river remains, two currents side by side / The evening remains, a curved sickle in the sky" emphasizes that the homeland has remained unchanged, untouched by time. Amid the vast river landscape, the image of the boat stands out. The poet, with great sensitivity, portrays the seemingly 'still' boats as 'alive'—their sails 'singing'—capturing the joy of the human spirit through the movement of the boats. The poet paints a vivid natural scene with remarkable artistry:

"The cloud above Việt Yên, Shadows stretching toward Bố Hạ, The rice bends low to hide its fruit, The fields swaying with the green breeze."

Through carefully chosen words, the poet conjures the unique connection between the sky and the earth. The distant sky seems to soften, ready to 'cast shadows toward Bố Hạ.' Closer to the ground, the speaker notices the rice plants bending, and the fields sway with the breeze, creating waves of green. The landscape, bathed in peace, mirrors the harmonious flow of life. As the river winds its way through the land, the poet observes:

"The river flows gently, In the heart of the irrigation ditches, New rice leaves stretch out, On the fertile mud that has been worked."

Each element in the scene moves according to its own rhythm. The 'river's color,' or the fertile water, 'flows gently,' nourishing the land. In the distance, the freshly planted rice shines in its new green coat. The soil, now finely tilled, glistens with life. All of nature continues its cycle of growth, foreshadowing an abundant harvest. Perhaps this is the poet's wish for the land: to prosper and flourish as the people of Kinh Bac desire. Witnessing the wealth and vitality of his homeland, the poet feels both joy and admiration. Every field glows with the golden hue of rice, ready for harvest: "Soon to turn golden on all sides." The happiness spreads through the village as the river’s flow reminds the poet of the precious gift the river offers to the laborers: "The grain of the fertile earth, so familiar, It feels like a fairytale." The fertile soil, like a magical story, enriches the fields, bringing prosperity and warmth to the homeland.

With emotions stirred by the peaceful beauty along the Song Thuong River, the poet becomes completely immersed in this serenity. His deep feelings are expressed in two lines of verse: "Oh, the river, brown in color, Oh, the river, deep blue in hue." The repetition of "oh" and the contrasting colors of brown and blue reflect the poet's profound affection. Whether the river flows with brown fertile soil or crystal-clear blue water, it brings forth life and renewal, "Offering the upcoming harvest, Nourishing the early seeds."

Through short, simple verses and familiar, intimate imagery, combined with literary devices like personification ('the river wishes to speak') and similes ('eyes sharp like a betel leaf knife'), the poet vividly captures the scene of the Song Thuong River at autumn’s dusk. Additionally, the unique writing style, with no capitalization at the start of the second line, makes the poem feel like a personal narrative from someone far from home. Through this, we also sense the poet's deep love for nature and the homeland, forever etched in his heart and mind.

The poem 'Evening at Song Thuong' is not just a depiction of the peaceful countryside in the Northern plains but also a testament to Hữu Thỉnh’s deep love and connection to his homeland. May this poem live on with the passage of time.

The beauty of nature and the homeland is a theme that many writers explore, and Hữu Thỉnh stands out as a poet with strong and creative expression. His poems not only capture the beauty of nature but also convey deep emotions of the characters. Among his works, 'Evening at Song Thuong' is a remarkable piece that portrays the beauty of the Song Thuong River in the Kinh Bac region.

'Evening at Song Thuong' is written in a five-character verse form with a unique rhyming style. The poem paints a picture of the peaceful, fertile beauty of the Song Thuong River during a gentle autumn evening. The image of the evening is often used in literature to reflect the feeling of a person far from home or exhausted, where emotions are most easily expressed.

"The river remains, two streams side by side, The evening remains, like a sickle in the sky, What the river wishes to say, The sail is singing out."

Every poet sees the world through a different lens, and this is what makes each poet’s work unique. For Hữu Thỉnh, the Song Thuong River appears with delicate beauty, depicted with a gentle grace on both banks. The poet starts from a distance, describing the purple hues of the flowers, which, like a woman, are both soft and captivating. The repetition of 'remains' in the poem hints at a nostalgic longing for a time that the poet holds dear, filled with memories. This raises the question: what time is the poet recalling? What is so unforgettable that even a poet filled with love and passion cannot let go?

The elements the poet describes are small details, often overlooked, yet from these, readers can imagine something joyful. This might be due to the beautiful colors, or perhaps it’s because the poet’s words are full of life and tenderness. The poet also reflects on the role of the boat, which, carrying fertile soil, returns with its sails filled with the river's flow.

"I walked all day through autumn, But have yet to reach my door, Hesitant, the Quan Ho flowers Bloom purple by the river’s shore."

This passage clarifies the situation of the speaker. The joyful scene seems to hold the traveler back, as he “hasn’t reached his door yet.” The word 'hesitant' conveys a reluctance to leave, a pull that is both mysterious and magnetic. What force could make someone so eager to move forward pause? But it is in this moment that the poet captures the magic of the evening, as the flowers bloom and the Song Thuong River takes on a dreamlike beauty.

"The water flows gently, Through the rising irrigation canals, The rice shoots sprout anew, On the fresh, nourishing mud."

In these lines, the poet’s tone softens, as the water becomes calm and obedient. For the poet, the gentle flow of the water symbolizes the docile nature of the river, carrying nutrients that nourish the newly sprouted rice. This rich, fertile mud prepares for an abundant harvest in the future. The growth of the rice mirrors the growth of the poet's emotions, representing human dreams for a prosperous and bountiful future.

Though the poet doesn’t explicitly reveal his emotions in every line, we still feel the stirrings of excitement in the reader’s heart as they encounter such beauty. The poet’s portrayal of the Song Thuong River invites the reader to pause, mesmerized by the enchantment of the scene. The river, anthropomorphized, becomes even more special, surprising the reader not only with its beauty but also with its role in supporting life.

'Evening at Song Thuong' under Hữu Thỉnh’s pen not only showcases the beauty of the river but also evokes a dream of a better future for many. The Song Thuong River, ever-flowing through time, will seemingly never stop, always nurturing the land and its people.