A symphony of poetry overflowing with maternal love and love for one's homeland.

Inspired by his homeland and mother, veteran poet Phùng Trung Tập (born in 1955 in Hải Phòng) has established his position in the hearts of readers through his eight published works, most notably the epic poem "Homeland and Mother." With 128 pages and 11 consecutive chapters, this is a poetic symphony overflowing with love for his homeland and mother.

His poetry is deeply imbued with love for his homeland. The homeland in Phùng Trung Tập's poetry is filled with memories and childhood recollections. Having grown up in the countryside, the poet is intimately connected to the poetic Kinh Thầy River: "My homeland is by the Kinh Thầy River basin / Full of rain, full of sunshine / Sunshine smells of rocky mountains / Rain smells of alluvial soil ."

The poetic imagery is carefully selected and condensed, recreating a peaceful countryside with harmonious nature, rivers, land, rain, and sunshine. This homeland is both prosperous and harsh, perceived through multiple senses. Like a bird with fully grown wings, the person goes far away, but their heart always remembers: "The village gate has existed since time immemorial / Long gourds, round pumpkins, weathered by sun and rain / The source of the Vietnamese nation / The sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers, the love and loyalty of the village." There, the "village gate" is an ancient cultural architectural structure, a witness to the ups and downs of the village, while the image of gourds and pumpkins evokes a life of close-knit community, family ties, and lineage. On the other hand: "My homeland has communal houses and temples / The village communal house has been there for hundreds of years, experiencing joy and sorrow like life itself... / The blessings of our ancestors still linger today, " reminding oneself and the present generation to preserve and promote the traditions of the homeland.

A heart full of love and gratitude for mother. Mother is the one who bore us, nurturing us with sweet, fragrant milk from potatoes and rice grains, raising us day by day. Through gentle lullabies and fairy tales, she taught us gradually to understand. While working in the fields to earn a living, she also cared for her children, providing meals and ensuring they slept well. In Phung Trung Tap's epic poem, there are many verses about mothers, all sharing the common theme of boundless love and gratitude. For example, the poem "Mother's Hand": "Holding Mother's hand, listening to her words / All my life I long for Mother's advice / Mother's hand is warm and gentle / Lifting me through life's ups and downs…" Here, Mother's hand evokes protection, comfort, and love; a place where the child finds peace. Mother's teachings are a precious source of life and spirit that stays with the child throughout their life, giving them strength to overcome all difficulties.

The mother's diligent labor, toiling from dawn till dusk, deeply moved the poet : "Remembering the past years / Mother - like a crane wading through fields far and near / Wearing patched clothes / Barefoot in the muddy fields, hands calloused in mud / Counting and measuring each grain, ripe and unripe / Carefully saving each meal for her children's warmth." This stanza vividly portrays the image of a hardworking mother, rich in self-sacrifice. "Mother - like a crane" is a metaphor showing the mother's arduous life, toiling for her children and family. The details of "patched clothes," "barefoot in the muddy fields," and "hands calloused in mud" clearly depict the mother's hardship and suffering. Not only that, she also "carefully saves each meal" to provide for her children. Despite the "sun and rain" and the fading of youth, she remains capable, taking care of the family in place of her husband.

The epic poem "Homeland" contains many songs about mothers, such as "Mother's Hat," "Mother's Rice Grain," "Mother's Betel Tray," "Mother Planting Rice," "Listening to Mother's Stories," etc. In each piece, the poet discovers a different beauty in the mother, all bringing a feeling of warmth and peace because the mother is present. It can be said that the epic poem not only carries personal meaning but is also a beautiful symbol of the country and Vietnamese women.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/ban-giao-huong-thi-ca-dat-dao-tinh-me-tinh-que-238260413190328663.htm