Phan Thanh gian Poems

When will the future come?
The one you promised us yesterday.
When will the end of darkness come?
Will the magical beginning ever arrive?
...

Over its shores, western side: the bright city lights
Eastern ends with the joyous agora's sight
At the foot of its span, darted by stream of red, yellow fireflies
...

Eternal blinding mirage in my eyes
Restless night, I count the minutes go by
In the early hours of radiant shine
Cheeks of pearls of tears greet the glorious dawn
...

Wings of dragonfly adorn your helmet
Shoulders encrusted with claws of Imperial trust
Humble beginning ends with such mighty office
Second to none other than the Son of Heaven
...

Empty hearted, mind full of grievous sorrows
Soul wrecked by howling cold, its merciless tolls
My dry tongue is foreign to its muffled ears
Eyes gawking homeward now blurred with years of tears
...

I'm only twelve:
Sir, ma'am can you spare me some rice
My mom is lying on the street over there
My baby brother still tries to suckle,
...

The time has come, to virtualize your life!
What you cannot see is invisible, yet it's real
The real has no existence and your existence is unreal.
...

Indeed, the Lord of the realm is fierce.
But thou shall not run nor hide,
Fiefs! Stand up to him with a sincere smile.
Disobey his unjust rules but without violence
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Wish we will always be this way
Wish that smile is eternal
Wish the days never wane
Wish this night, everlasting it stays
...