A collection of poems by Pham Ngoc Dien
Author Pham Ngoc Dien is a son of the poetic Bung River but grew up in the newly reclaimed land of Tan Ky. He served in the military for 15 years, experiencing the war against the US and the war to protect the northern border. Afterwards, he returned to his hometown of Dien Chau and worked in the agricultural sector for 20 years.
He loved poetry and literature, and wrote poetry from his youth, but it wasn't until he was nearly 70 that he published his first collection of poems, "Late Moon." "Late Moon" is his reflection on his homeland, his family, and his comrades. And even though it's a "late moon," he still longs for empathy, like "a half-moon filling each other's hearts"...
Nightfall - Private Love
Melancholy at the Evening Clouds
I hear the sound of the royal horses of King Duong Vuong.
A love affair leads to a tragic trap.
Following the white goose feathers down the path of injustice.
The sacred full moon festival of the year of the Rabbit.
Passing down to future generations personal feelings and sorrows.
Even if a thousand years pass, there will still be a future.
The image of the crane still lingers, a symbol of the pain of a failed love.
The seeds of the Ngau tree are waiting.
Sunlight slanted across the canopy of leaves on the porch.
Echoing in my memory is the sound of a rooster crowing at noon.
The intoxicating scent of grapefruit blossoms from the past.
A time of passionate love that was never confessed.
Looking back, more than half a lifetime has passed.
That secret love of those days is gone forever.
The old ferry has now been replaced by a bridge.
With hearts drenched in tears, the raindrops of the crape myrtle wait in anticipation.
Whisper
Whisper
The night calls the moon to rise.
Longing for the sea and memories
Gentle waves, lullaby
Whisper
Falling leaves in late autumn
Falling sideways at the base
Blind man waiting
Whisper
Pour a poem
Gathered with memories
Lost in thought for days and months
Whisper
Drink all night tonight
Let love waver
A drop of intoxication whispered
Autumn Rain
The autumn night is filled with the gentle patter of sad raindrops.
They sought each other out, exchanging empty promises of love.
Worn-out blankets and torn mats prevent me from sleeping.
Anxiously waiting for the bell to ring.
Country Market - Mother's Shadow
Rural market
Fragrant and rustic soul
Rain or shine, a mother's shadow
The embankment at the edge of the village
Far from home
How many springs have passed?
Now I've lost my way back home.
Astonished by the shadows of the past.
Rural market
vegetables, fish, tomatoes, cucumbers
My mother raised me.
early morning and midday, a time
Rural market
still held a large gathering.
Where is my mother's shadow now?
In the midst of life, I long for this.
By the old river
Return to the old riverside
Where is the ferry boat now?
Lost in a bygone era
We once had each other.
Come home
Half my life, my motherland has nurtured me.
Cherishing the years of separation, a time gone by.
Nghia Binh*, my homeland
Where are the eroding and depositing banks of the Ferry Crossing* now?
Searching amidst the fading rain and sunshine.
Tears well up at the sound of the dove calling for the season.
The twilight purple hue of the crape myrtle flowers
The twilight is filled with longing, the stars are few at the edge of the sky.
*Place names in Nghia Dong commune
