Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

Văn Học Ngoại Biên — Literature Beyond

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Loneliness | Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

Chinatown, Sydney, Australia August 2022

Loneliness is such a cliché that one wears it like armour, sharpened, shiny? Or is it simply a fault in our makeup? You were manufactured with a loose wire, a missing screw? To be alone is to admit defeat? Diminished in character, low self, absent ego? One or one hundred friends, does it make any difference? I don’t know. I just noticed that when I’m present in a moment of kindness, a moment of love… I forget I was born alone, at that hour just before dawn. 

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OCTOBER 2018

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.

9 responses

  1. threewintryfriends avatar
    threewintryfriends

    “I forget I was born alone, at an hour just before dawn”

    this reads like a journal entry, quickly jotted, yet perfectly capturing the warring mind of a quiet soul. it reminds me of a concert Alicia Keys held, called “songs I wish I’d written.” this is a line I wish I’d written. appreciate the share!

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Awe, thank you. You are very intuitive, “journal entry” is a style I tend to adapt. May joy fill your day and night..

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. nedhamson avatar
    nedhamson

    Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Ashi Joseph avatar
    Ashi Joseph

    That was such a strong contemplation
    …👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  4. Graham Stephen avatar
    Graham Stephen

    Being ‘present in a moment of kindness’ is to collapse the illusory distinction between “self” and “other”. In a moment of loneliness, that which is aware of the loneliness is not lonely, but is the unity of all shared being (including the countless other “selves” also feeling lonely).

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    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar
      Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

      There is wisdom in your words.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Graham Stephen avatar
        Graham Stephen

        😌🙏✨

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Catch the Words avatar
    Catch the Words

    When we are born, two people are involved, the mom and the baby born, but we die alone. Only we die. Cheers, and best wishes,

    Liked by 1 person

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