Nguyen Quoc Anh, a poet who knows his own limitations.
(Baonghean) - Poet Nguyen Quoc Anh, from Duc Bui commune, Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh province. A member of the Vietnam Writers Association. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Nghe An Union of Literature and Arts Associations, terms VI and VII. He published 9 poetry collections and 2 prose collections, and won the B and C prizes of the Ho Xuan Huong Literature and Arts Award (Nghe An). He passed away on January 7, 2012…
I vividly remember that late afternoon in 1973, when Nguyen Quoc Anh visited the Basic Construction Department of the Ha Tinh Provincial Department of Culture.
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| Poet Nguyen Quoc Anh |
Being naive and fond of fun, I readily agreed to join the Arts and Literature Association after Quốc Anh sweet-talked me.
After returning from the Nguyen Du writing training course, I used every excuse to get Nguyen Quoc Anh to accept the position of Chief of the Association's Office. It took several attempts before he finally relinquished it. Back then, few cadres in their twenties thought about titles; being a cadre, especially a cultural and artistic one, was quite prestigious. Once, I asked Nguyen Quoc Anh: "What did you gain from attending the Nguyen Du writing training course over the past six months?" Nguyen Quoc Anh replied: "Wow, all the trainees seemed so knowledgeable that the instructors only gave a superficial overview! There were already famous trainees like Pham Tien Duat, To Ngoc Hien, Le Minh Khue… sitting below, so Professor Xuan Dieu and Professor Nguyen Xuan Sanh wouldn't dare to make a fuss! Especially the principal – the poet Nguyen Xuan Sanh – always emphasized: 'We writers must always have a common thread running through us!' What else could it be but a 'common thread'? Every writer has one!" As for literature, as Xuan Dieu said, no one can teach anyone else, not even experience. Many people are knowledgeable in both ancient and modern times, yet they can't write a single decent sentence."
I know that the poem "My Battlefield," which Nguyen Quoc Anh wrote during his time attending the Nguyen Du writing training course, is the best poem in his poetic career.
My father died because of them.
Restless
The tombstone resembles a helmet.
Lift up the sky!
That's where I'll go to build my battleground.
The tombstone provides shelter for the child on one side!
But this poem was a child of misfortune, drifting aimlessly for nearly 15 years before finally getting the chance to be included in a separate poetry collection! And it was this very poem that enabled poet Nguyen Trong Tao to successfully defend Nguyen Quoc Anh's nomination to the Vietnam Writers Association later on!
Poet Nguyen Trong Tao recounted: During a meeting of the Poetry Council of the Vietnam Writers Association that year, he nominated Nguyen Quoc Anh to be included in the list of candidates for membership consideration by the Executive Committee. Poet Pham Tien Duat asked Nguyen Trong Tao, "What do you think of Nguyen Quoc Anh's poetry? Can you give me an example?" Nguyen Trong Tao then read the poem "My Battlefield." After hearing it, everyone agreed!
It must be said that Nguyen Quoc Anh is one of those people with the qualities and talent to be an office "chief"... In his personal life, he is a free spirit, carefree, but in his work, he is cautious and meticulous.
The Ha Tinh Arts and Literature Association at that time also had its own headquarters and seal, but all its activities were under the direct control of the Department of Culture, following the model of two houses sharing one alley. The Association's office staff at that time consisted of only three people (Nguyen Quoc Anh, Chinh Tam, and Tung Bach), but thanks to Nguyen Quoc Anh's persuasive speaking skills, the Association managed to secure seven staff members and launch the Ha Tinh Arts and Literature magazine, replacing the Song La journal of the Ha Tinh Department of Culture.
In 1976, the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh merged to form Nghe-Tinh, and my friends and I packed our pots, pans, and suitcases and moved to Vinh. After more than a year, the internal situation of the Nghe-Tinh Arts Association became problematic regarding unity! Several members successively requested transfers! Nguyen Quoc Anh was chosen by Tran Huu Thung – introduced to the Vietnam Feature Film Studio to be the Deputy Director of the film "That Day on the Banks of the Lam River". Thus, Nguyen Quoc Anh suddenly had a "role".
I remember once he invited me to Nghi Xuan to look for a thatched house to buy for a film. Apparently, the film "That Day on the Banks of the Lam River" had a scene where they burned down a house and robbed it. Whenever the scene came up, they'd just burn it down! A house is for living in, not for burning, so the cheaper the better!
I asked, "You're the Deputy Film Producer, so what exactly does that entail?" Nguyen Quoc Anh nodded his head and chuckled, "The position of Deputy Film Producer sounds prestigious, but in reality, it's just running errands, you know! For example, if they need the role of the newspaper boy, I find and recommend the kid from Le Ham's family; if they need the role of the town crier, I find them Danh, the guy who sells herbal remedies at Vinh Train Station market; if they need a blue-eyed, big-nosed guy to play a Westerner, I find Minh, the barber from Pho Chau town... In short, that's what being a Deputy Film Producer is all about, mostly for fun, there's no real benefit to be gained. Besides, this is a film about Soviet Nghe Tinh, with a script by Tran Huu Thung! The good thing is I get to travel to many places, get to know the places I need to know, and that's already quite a profit!"
In 1991, Nghe An and Ha Tinh were again separated into two provinces - Nguyen Quoc Anh did not return to Ha Tinh but stayed in Nghe An.
He served two terms as the Executive Committee of the Nghe An Literature and Arts Association, terms VI and VII, as the Head of the Association's Membership Committee.
In 1996, Nguyen Quoc Anh had to have three-quarters of his stomach removed, so all his activities had to be done according to his doctor's instructions. He gave up alcohol, only retaining the habit of occasionally smoking a couple of pipes. He said, "From childhood until now, I've never owed anyone a penny, but at the end of my life, I owe a debt of blood! I had a stomach tumor that needed surgery, but unfortunately, I wasn't short of money, only blood! So I had to rely on the blood donations of the students! No one is demanding this debt, but I still have to remember it!" I know he has repaid that debt through poetry, and with all the efforts of the remaining time in his life!
In 2008, fate struck him again. This time, he had to have a liver removed! Whenever I visited him, I would jokingly tease him: "You should hurry up and compile your anthology instead of writing anything more! A poet's essence lies in their heart and soul, but you've had almost all your heart, liver, lungs, and intestines removed!" Nguyen Quoc Anh would nod his head and chuckle: "You're right, I've been focusing on playing around lately, not writing anything. I'll just finish what I started and then compile the anthology, and that'll be it! Oh, and have you heard my new manifesto yet?"
Talent? I don't have any.
Heart? It's been cut out.
The liver only has one lobe left.
One of my kidneys has atrophied.
Stomach - discard three-quarters.
My stomach is completely empty right now.
All that's left is love.
For you and for your friend!
Yes, he may not be talented, but try putting yourself in his shoes and see how many people can be as optimistic and cheerful as him? Life is often not what it seems! In moments of peace, Nguyen Quoc Anh also comforts himself with a sense of proud optimism.
What they have, we don't have.
They want to be like me, but it's just a dream.
(Self-consolation)
He understood perfectly well the ways of the world—who are true friends, true confidants: "How many friends are there when you leave? How many remain when you return? Who abandons you in death? Who lets go of the pole?"
"Mood" is a poem he cherishes, expressing his resolute and decisive attitude towards life.
My hands planted the peach trees.
My hands chop peaches
My hand placed the peach blossom branch into the vase.
My hand - still my hand
Throw the peach blossom branch out into the street!
A love of fun is inherent in the nature of writers. Nguyen Quoc Anh also possesses the qualities of someone who enjoys organizing and leading events, especially creating opportunities for many people to participate. Even when physically needing to be quiet and reserved, he still strived with passionate dedication, tirelessly working to establish the Vinh City Literature and Arts Association, securing its headquarters, and raising funds to publish the Literature and Arts magazine. He deserves the gratitude of his fellow writers and artists in Vinh City!
He once compared himself to a lightning rod:
Lightning struck and destroyed the lightning rod.
The lightning rod calmly endured it all.
A peaceful five-story house.
Five floors of peaceful living
I forgot the lightning rod on the roof again!
Tung Bach
(Vinh City)
