Thanh-Thanh NhuanLe Poems

I am so fortunate in my life to have you
with your rosy lips fresh as morning dew,
fragrant as just woken wild grass' scent,
to be hand in hand not stray in discontent.
...

Well, what should I recall the sad stories for
While my heart is still full of dolor, why more?
How many of those old far-away so unkind
Alas! I haven't been able to erase from my mind!
...

Thank you, my white-skinned golden-haired mother
Who are not of the same bloodline as me or the other
But you fished me out of the abyss a refugee errant,
Adopted and fostered me with the love of a parent.
...

You gave birth to me while being destitute:
Potato or cassava doubling rice each meal to suit.
Salted egg-plants and peanuts since childhood,
I had got accustomed to the poor people's food.
...

Phuong is still in me like in my dreaming years.

He that loves, his beauty how he heartily spheres!
...

I have not returmed to Trung Phuoc to revisit

My native land, for almost forty years since I left it
...

I began to cry on coming into this world here,

When life received me, anyhow for joy or for fear;
...

I have now returned here where I saw you away

Nearly two years ago but it seems just yesterday.
...

The clear blue lake reflected the love grove;
Away the snow-evading swans humans drove.

Defoliant sprayed on grass, why to cause hate?
...

This morning I called my name on my own

But it sounded strange like that of an unknown.
...