Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

Văn Học Ngoại Biên — Literature Beyond

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with intention, I will trim and cut | Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

A poem by Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm
translator: Lê Vĩnh Tài

Photography: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

with intention I will trim and cut
what sucks all the energy
the dead branches
the rotten roots
the over watered blooms

cut and chop
chop and cut until there’s nothing left
nothing left

nothing left but
me
_____
02012022

tôi sẽ cắt và cắt
hết sức chăm chú
những cành già
lá khô hoa héo
rễ queo

những bông hoa vẫn được tưới đẫm nước

cắt và cắt
chặt và chặt
cho đến khi không còn gì
không còn gì
không có gì

không còn gì sót lại ngoài
tôi

tôi chính là bông hoa đẫm nước
mắt…

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.

8 responses

  1. syl65 avatar
    syl65

    We cannot forget who we are.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar
      Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

      You are right, though the truth is often a burden. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. syl65 avatar
        syl65

        This world doesn’t make it easy for us but we can do it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar
        Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

        heheh, yes! Cheers to that my friend! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. syl65 avatar
    syl65

    🫶🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar
      Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

      🥰

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. Mangus Khan avatar
    Mangus Khan

    I remember somewhere it is necessary sometimes to trim the fat as they say. Also, I remember reading something about self-analysis. If you are doing something that doesn’t make sense, we should stop it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar
      Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

      I find if I do not keep a check on my mind, I might end up committing a crime. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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