REFLECTION
Yes, this far-away
strange domain,
Of
my own volition, I silently did attain.
Seeing
clouds and winds on cloud nine
Courting one another
in the
shine,
I
looked at
the sky and
earth around
Without
any aim, without any ground.
But
I observed myself and was surprised
That
in my inmost feelings I realized
A
source of
sorrow so
profound.
Days
after days,
hours after
hours
Over
this Valley
of Yellow
Flowers
Each
morning, midday, afternoon, eve
Passes
in a hurry causing me
to grieve.
In
this land of
promises it is
to bear
There
are lots of bridges
to well wear;
All
of them are so wide
to give fright
To my hair to turn more snow-white.
What
reason? That one
is to
contrast
Freeways running smoothly
and fast
With
my still poor condition
of living:
A sluggish canal muddy waters giving.
Vietnamese poem by NGUYÊN PHƯƠNG
English translation by THANH-THANH