A poem in Vietnamese by Lê Vĩnh Tài
Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm
1.
you put up with a grain of sunlight
so you’re allowed the privilege of embracing
her grenade
her love is an explosion hotter than light
2.
you put up with the shadow
so you may fall asleep
you could still
discern her light
“are you still awake?”
she asks
half awake
you’re allowed the privilege of replying
“right now? Sure, I can put up with having sex with you”
3.
you put up with her madness
till you’re about to break
then you can boast all you want
about
the freedom of speech
she cries:
“you’re drunk
and your name is forbidden
in my heart
I will shed a few more tears
and gentler will be my act of love
because you no longer
force me to put up with you
you could into me
unburden all you want
I will put up with the glass being half empty
and you don’t have to put up with being a glass half full
it’s so hard to be sweet
when I am ruthless
you say you will put up with having sex with me
I say
you are rather daft
I’m inebriated by the memory of you”
—
December 2022
1.
bạn chịu một hạt nắng
sau đó bạn được yêu
bằng trái lựu đạn của nàng
nóng hơn ánh sáng
2.
bạn chịu một bóng tối
sau đó bạn chìm
vào giấc ngủ
bạn vẫn nghe ánh sáng của nàng:
– anh còn thức không?
vẫn nửa tỉnh nửa mê
bạn được quyền trả lời:
– anh chịu yêu em
3.
bạn chịu
khi nàng điên rồ
cho đến khi sắp vỡ
và bạn được khoe mình tha hồ
tự do ngôn luận
nàng khóc:
anh uống say rồi
tên của anh
bị cấm
trong trái tim em
em sẽ khóc thêm một chút
yêu nhẹ nhàng hơn một chút
vì anh không còn
làm em chịu nữa
anh chỉ có thể
trút hết vào em
em chịu anh là chiếc ly cạn một nửa
anh không chịu mình là chiếc ly đầy một nửa
thật khó để dịu dàng
khi em phải tàn nhẫn
anh nói anh chịu yêu
em nói anh ngu ngốc
em say trong
ký ức về anh
Lê Vĩnh Tài, the poet and translator born in 1966 in Buon Ma Thuot, Daklak, Vietnam. The retired doctor is still a resident of the Western Highlands and a businessman in Buon Ma Thuot.
Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm, the blogger, poet, and translator, was born in 1971 in Phu Nhuan, Saigon, Vietnam. The pharmacist currently lives and works in Western Sydney, Australia.
Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm 
Wowwwww I LOOOVVVVEEEEE THIS NGUYEN!!!! This truly incredible and I really love that perspective on love—just putting up with what we can. It makes me wonder if that is just a toxic relationship or if that is love over all—just putting up with little things every here and there, now and then to accomplish the bigger goal. THANK YOU FOR TRANSLATING AND SHARING!!!
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Thank you for getting excited, sharing my enthusiasm. I’ve been a bit stuck, I have found most poetry a little lack lustred. I’ve managed to acquired a few pieces which makes me tick LOL .. Happy 2023 to you Sir Charles.
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Unfortunately, most of what is widely circulating as “poetry” is a little lack lustered (some of my poems are too, and that’s why I’m reading more and learning more about the art haha). But I think you’re already doing a great job by going back and reading famous poems of your ancestors 🙂 Happy 2023 Nguyen!
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Cheers!
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Cheers!
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I think life (even in the most loving relationships) if people were completely honest, is a give and take. Occasionally after up to thirty years of knowing love we still have moments when we dance together and throw our heads back and laugh. I still grow dizzy when he kisses me deep and passionately. However in the day to day finding compassion and loving each other and still longing for conversation every day is a rarity I believe. However, it is not always easy and where there is passion there is fighting too. So thank you for the realism that this piece brings. I too, love this post. <3<3<3
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Thank you for your wisdom Joni. 🥰
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