Each hand is a helping hand

A poem in Vietnamese by Nguyễn Lãm Thắng
Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm
Photography: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm


Each hand is a helping hand

Ai cũng có công

The toothbrush said: – You’re white
Alone, it’s thanks to me.
The toothpaste: – How could that be!
Without me, it would never be white, can’t you see.
Teeth is quick to add soberly:
– Thanks to both of you, I’m always fresh and white
There’s no point in arguing, you guys
Look again and there’s still his hand
The little guy you can’t deny
Day in day out he’s brushing me
Each hand is a helping hand you see
Allow me to repay you please
With the brightest smile and giggles
Hee hee hee.

May 2023
___

Bàn chải bảo: – Răng trắng tinh
Là nhờ công trạng của mình tôi thôi.
Kem rằng: – Anh nói sai rồi!
Có anh, mà chẳng có tôi, cũng thừa.
Hàm răng điềm đạm vội thưa:
– Nhờ hai anh, tôi bốn mùa trắng thơm
Xin đừng cãi cọ thiệt hơn
Xét công lao, ấy vẫn còn bàn tay
Của anh cu Tí mỗi ngày
Rất siêng năng, chải chuốt hoài cho tôi
Công lao ai cũng tuyệt vời
Tôi xin đền đáp nụ cười thật xinh.


Nguyễn Lãm Thắng

Born August 14th, 1973, writes under many pseudonyms: Nguyễn Lãm Thắng, Lam Thuỵ, Trà Thị Kim Xuyến and as a children’s author: Nguyễn Trần Bảo Nghi, Du Lãm, Nhật Quang, Nguyễn Trần Khải Tú…

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.

By Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

There's magic in translating a body of work from one language to another.

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