A poem in Vietnamese by Niê A Dũng
Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm
When the sunset is on fire gushing sentiment
a dissolving sun
missing the rain
a lifetime of thirst
exhausted
coursing hoarsely through the night
returning from the beyond
I’m dumbfounded by my clumsiness
backward tenderness
waking up at dusk
to find me on fire
sprouting a new love
drained within a haze
someone had bound my heart
with an everlasting mystical lasso
and I’m wading against the tides
panicking
and lost
—
July 2022
Hoàng hôn trút nỗi niềm
khi hoàng hôn phổ lửa trút nỗi niềm
mặt trời tan
chiều nay thiếu mưa
như khát cả một đời
kiệt quệ
vọng đêm khàn tiếng
thiên di bay về
anh chết lặng trước tình yêu vụng tính
ngược đời
thức dậy lúc ban chiều
bỗng thấy mình đã cháy
mầm yêu mọc
rũ miền sương khuếch đại
ai đó trói buộc lòng anh
bằng thứ dây ma mị miên trường
lội ngược dòng
bấn loạn
bâng khuâng
Niê A Dũng
Niê A Dũng, Anh Dũng, the poet born Nguyễn Văn Dũng in 2002 at Thanh Vân, Cát Tân, Như Xuân, Thanh Hoá. Currently lives in Hanoi, Vietnam
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 
Absolutely beautiful writing, nice photograph and thanks so much for the translation. By the way I am not unfollowing anyone as I noticed I had to refollow you. Please know I will never unfollow my WordPress friends. Love ❤️ Joni
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Yes dear, all is good with the universe Joni.. ❤
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Thanks for understanding Trâm. I have no control over what is happening. ❤️
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“Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.”
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Thank you my dear friend for your trust and love. Also thank you for that perfectly perfect piece from Shakespeare. ❤️🦋🌹
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Bill was one wise individual, he is and will always be my favourite poet and philosopher. Take care Joni. xx
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I admire how hard he worked – I can’t imagine being a poet or artist of any kind in the 16 century. Hope your evening is blessed. ❤️🦋
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Thanks Joni, you too. ❤
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