Văn Học Ngoại Biên — Literature Beyond

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A poem in Vietnamese by Lê Vĩnh Tài
Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

the day I fell in love with her
light gradually fading
by the minute and the hour
time drifted in slow motion quietly passing by
the moments disappearing into forgetfulness

in the dying light love
you’re crying fading away down memory lane
and I can no longer remember
the number of times I had to look back
oh the sad wrinkly face
oh lonely heart

tears of resentment
searching for absolution
lost time
not my ego otherwise
it’s not me but Nguyễn Khải

HẾT GIẤC MƠ NHƯNG TÔI HỒI TƯỞNG

ngày tôi yêu em
ánh sáng mờ dần
từng phút từng giờ
chậm rãi trôi qua trong lặng lẽ
khoảng cách mất rồi lãng quên

ánh sáng đang tàn
em đang khóc phai mờ trong ký ức
tôi được nhìn lại không biết bao nhiêu lần
một trái tim cô đơn và gương mặt nhăn nheo

giọt nước mắt ân hận
tôi đi tìm và tha thứ cho thời gian đã mất
không phải đi tìm cái tôi
không thôi tôi thành Nguyễn Khải


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.

21 responses

  1. Caleb Cheruiyot avatar

    Wonderful ♥️

    Liked by 3 people

  2. REMINISCING IS ALL I HAVE LEFT WHEN I CAN NO LONGER DREAM | Lê Vĩnh Tài | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News avatar

    […] REMINISCING IS ALL I HAVE LEFT WHEN I CAN NO LONGER DREAM | Lê Vĩnh Tài […]

    Liked by 1 person

  3. jonicaggiano avatar

    Beautifully written, the second stanza is particularly melancholy and makes one feel a sense of loss.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Lê Vĩnh Tài avatar
      Lê Vĩnh Tài

      thank you my friend

      Liked by 1 person

  4. mideprominentvb75 avatar

    Wow..that’s awesome

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar

      Awe, I love your reaction. Thank you. Happy week to you yeah!

      Like

  5. mideprominentvb75 avatar

    Okay sweetie 😘 nice chatting with you. Can I be social with you

    Liked by 1 person

      1. mideprominentvb75 avatar

        Yeah..I mean really love to chat with you on any social network.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar

        Ah, thank you for the offer. That is very kind of you. But not at this point in time. Again, thank you though.

        Like

      3. mideprominentvb75 avatar

        Okay? Perhaps can I work with you.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar

        Work? On/with the blog? It is just something I do. Hoping my children will read it some day. While I am still alive. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. mideprominentvb75 avatar

        Wow..so kind heartedly mom

        Liked by 1 person

  6. pk 🌍 Educación y más. avatar

    Beautifully written ❤️
    Good work 💯

    Liked by 2 people

  7. vermavkv avatar

    Beautiful poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Dracul Van Helsing avatar

    Stunningly beautiful picture.

    And very sad but beautifully written poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm avatar

      I got it from a hotel’s calendar, I don’t have the heart to throw it away.. no one uses calendars anymore ..

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dracul Van Helsing avatar

        Very beautiful picture. 🥰

        I still use calendars.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. […] REMINISCING IS ALL I HAVE LEFT WHEN I CAN NO LONGER DREAM | Lê Vĩnh Tài [341] […]

    Liked by 1 person

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