On the Thach Han River

Quang Tri I came on a moonlit night

The Thach Han River is as smooth as a mirror.

Lap Thach pontoon bridge, who's late?

The sound of the car like fireworks

Friends sitting here quizzing on Cantonese

Listen, guess, laugh and cry

This side, that side of Thach Han river

Row gently across here, boatman!

Goby fish eats sand by itself

To make the fish heavier, prevent drifting

My friend a lifetime with words

Still the nights come back crying the river

Illustration: LE NGOC DUY

Now the country is practicing for a military parade.

Glorious flags of the provinces and cities

My friend came here to sit and miss his mother.

Veined hands forever calloused

How many spans does Hien Luong bridge have?

It took decades to reconnect.

Quang Tri incense smoke is more than wind

Even white sand worship is less

April the whole country returns to Quang Tri

Overcrowded hotels, traffic jams

Green shirt next to veteran soldier

Bombs fade away, doves fly up

Five-pointed star cemetery gate

The student applied to join the army yesterday.

I silently watched the ferry cross Thach Han.

For years I rowed very gently, my heart...

Huynh Dung Nhan

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/ben-song-thach-han-193053.htm