Cover of the poetry and painting book "The Velvet Rose" by author Phan Bá Ngọc

Phan Bá Ngọc was born and raised in a poor coastal village (An Dương village, Phú Thuận commune, Phú Vang district, Thừa Thiên Huế province ). His talent for poetry and painting manifested itself quite early, even during his high school years, but it wasn't until now (when he's approaching "old age") that he published his first collection of poems and paintings (mostly created from 2019 to the present). Though belated, it was necessary, a way for him to express the pent-up emotions (longing, anguish, bitterness, sweetness...) of an unfulfilled dreamlike love that has haunted him for almost his entire life. Phan Bá Ngọc was right to choose the title of a poem in the collection, "The Velvet Rose," as the book's title; it's both meaningful and fitting. Flowers symbolize beauty, born to adorn life, possessing value and their own unique identity. One could liken the 72 poems and 72 paintings to a multitude of flowers, each contributing to the essence and soul of the work. Two flowers stand out and remain: one real (a crimson rose for you), and one illusory (a meditative flower offered to Buddha). Here, I would like to speak about the crimson rose for you.

The love story of the young man and woman begins in a tranquil village (with a lagoon in front and the sea behind, surrounded by moss and algae, bathed in sunshine and wind, and the salty taste of the sea). In the midst of drunken revelry, hand in hand, they exchange words of love amidst the springtime promises, when suddenly, "Who could have foreseen this? Waiting at the gate, our destinies never met, our love is left desolate and lonely" (That Spring). The suddenness and unexpectedness leave the young man with no choice but to drown his sorrows in alcohol, to the point that: "The wine warms my lips, lulling me to sleep with the rhythm of the moonlight. Perhaps the absence chills the air, and I long to call out your name affectionately" (Drunk). Though the heartbreak was gentle, it wasn't a tragic one; your radiant image remains deeply etched in my mind, and not just in mine, but even strangers can't remain indifferent: "You are so beautiful, like a deep red rose / Shining brightly in the darkness of night / Your fragrance wafts on the wind to the deserted street corner / Travelers stop, lost in thought, unable to move on" (The Deep Red Rose).

Longing and sleeplessness, he returns to memories of a bygone era, to feel and listen to the echoes of his heart: “The sad sunlight shines on my memories / The evening music still lingers, restless / What can I say to you, you too are forever far away / So the old path is filled with longing and memories” (Old Path). Then he secretly prays, “Just once, just once / The old bird is weary / Bringing the fragrance of tangled hair / The salty sea stains the color of your lips” (Old Path); and “Playing with my hand, plucking a little wind / Resting on a heart of pink / Waiting for the night dew to spread dreams / The sun returns, love blossoms” (Praying for Love)… I ponder the reason for the breakup of that vibrant love, and here it is: “Is it over now? / You, noble and elegant, chose silk and satin / Then abandoned me for money and everything / Because of your lowly and noble nature, you blame me for my tanned skin” (Gift for You); Even though they went to such lengths, he remained forgiving and tolerant: "My dear/ If on that day/ Your feet grow weary/ Because of loneliness, because of fate, because of the ways of the world/ Please come back here and find peace for a while/ The hut is not closed, the hearth is still waiting" (If on that day he returns).

Poetry doesn't necessarily beautify paintings, and paintings don't stand side-by-side to illustrate poetry; rather, they were born from the same mother, at the same time, a single crimson rose for you, isn't that right, author Phan Bá Ngọc (a construction and interior design professional, currently residing on the other side of the globe)? If so, I'm sure you feel relieved now, having finally expressed what you've wanted to say for so long.

Le Viet Xuan