Thanh-Thanh NhuanLe Poems

Reverently dedicated to my dear Dad’s spirit

Whilst boarding the aircraft to fly towards the ocean
I suddenly pitied my father, tears flowing out of emotion.
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How harrowing were the days dad got imprisoned:
Mom could hardly sleep, got her eyes wet, rings wizened.
Gnawing the tiny rootstock Mom spared for me: how sad!
I was so hungry, dad!
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To visit picturesque Yosemite, here I came
Just by becoming an exile being affected;
I looked at this scenery of universal fame
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I have heard palaver, over historic issues ranged,
Such as, “If Cleopatra’s nose had been shorter,
The whole face of the world would have changed! ”
But who asked “How? ” would be a blabber aborter!
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Since then I have undergone a thinking’s renovation
That both female and male take the same orientation.
To appreciate your feelings, emotional and carnal blend,
I ’ve got to meet your needs to be worth your boy-friend.
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Smokes and flames, blood and tears
on the television screen spread dyeing.
On September the 11th in California
I tuned in, watched and burst out crying.
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(To American adoptive mothers who
heartily fostered children of Vietnamese origin)

Thank you, my white-skinned golden-haired mother
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The two blocks of seats in the cathedral wide
Divided the believers, separated the lovers too.
Since childhood, the prayers not yet known through,
We had to kneel down on each of the Image's side:
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You have flowed down here from the North;
Like you, I have drifted over here from the East.
We’ve been similar in our leeway thenceforth;
My life is melancholy, is yours too, at least?
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Once upon a time, there was one in violet clad
To continue inspiring my poetic dreams so sad.

Until times later on, Cupid would never deign!
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