a poem by Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm
translation into Vietnamese by Lê Vĩnh Tài

“will you come home so I may have something to look forward to
the excitement and joy of warm human flesh”*
will you meet me at dawn
to then abandon me at dusk
the warm rain is still fresh on my brow
grey numbness echoes still through the clouds
you promised me nothing
and I expected naught
the frivolity of the moment lost
weigh heavy
on my ring finger
no nearer
but further
the distance between us
the moment
I wanted to kiss your hands
—
January 1st, 2023
__
“em có về không để tôi còn đón đợi
còn hân hoan còn mong ngóng hơi người…”
lúc bình minh anh có gặp em không
để rồi bỏ rơi em lúc hoàng hôn chạng vạng
cơn mưa ấm vỡ ra trên lông mày
âm vang tê buốt màu xám vọng qua đám mây
anh chẳng hứa gì với em cả
và em đã không mong đợi điều gì
sự nông nổi của khoảnh khắc đã mất
nặng nề trên ngón tay em
ngón tay đeo nhẫn của em
không gần hơn đâu
khoảng cách ngày càng xa hơn giữa hai chúng ta
khoảnh khắc
em muốn hôn tay 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.
Happy New Year and blessings to you and your loved ones 🎉❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, many blessings to you too in the new year
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year! Best wishes Trám for you and yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy new year to you too Elvira, wishing all joy and happiness in the coming days. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Trám gor your kindness and warm words.🙏❤️
Joy and happiness for you as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always my pleasure Elvira. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha e a wonderful week ahead! ❤️🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person