Memories from the pandemic

Huynh Khang probably wouldn't have thought of a career in literature and art if the COVID-19 pandemic hadn't happened. Every misfortune has a blessing.

The poetry collection "Land of Memories" by Huynh Khang - Photo: DAO DUC TUAN

The launch of artist Huynh Khang's poetry collection "Land of Memories" (Literature Publishing House, 2025) was recently held in a warm atmosphere organized by friends in Binh Kien ward, Dak Lak province .

Huynh Khang said he didn't dare call himself a professional poet, because during the long days spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the longing for his mother and hometown prompted him to write to ease his feelings.

He writes whatever comes to mind; if an image or melody from his hometown suddenly comes to mind, he types it into his phone or computer. He gets lost in a stream of memories. Essays about longing for loved ones, home, neighborhood, weddings, anniversaries, Tet (Lunar New Year), the rice harvest season in his hometown… they tremble, well up, and timidly appear on his personal Facebook page.

Poet Huynh Khang and two poetry reciters Ngoc Ha (left) and Bich Tram (right) at the launch of his poetry collection "Land of Memories" - Photo: DAO DUC TUAN

Interspersed with simple poems, imbued with the warmth of community and hometown affection, his essays and poems naturally resonate with and are shared by many. Amidst the sirens of vehicles transporting the sick to hospitals and crematoriums, Huỳnh Khang yearns to escape the suffocating concrete jungle and rush straight towards the open expanse of his hometown:

I want to go back to the fields and the countryside.

Back to the patch of mustard greens with flower stalks at the edge of the yard.

People from the countryside live a simple, humble life.

Neighbors help out day and night.

(Want to go home)

The feeling of nostalgia seems to be quite genuine.

Just keep following me everywhere.

As the evening mist rises, the longing intensifies.

Oh Tuy Hoa, Tuy Hoa! I miss you so much!

(Nostalgia for Tuy Hoa)

With gray hair, they return to sleep in their homeland.

One night, my whole childhood came flooding back.

(Sleeping in my hometown)

Poet Huynh Khang is signing copies of "Land of Memories" - Photo: DAO DUC TUAN

Poet Phan Hoang commented: "Filled with familiar images of nature. The countryside is breathtakingly beautiful. Childhood memories come alive. Without a deep love for the homeland, a refined soul that knows how to listen, and a sensitive heart that knows how to repent, it would be impossible to write such simple verses."

"Huynh Khang probably wouldn't have considered a career in literature and art if the Covid-19 pandemic hadn't happened. There's a silver lining in every cloud. During those days confined to his home amidst the pandemic, he found solace in writing."

One by one, his poems, songs, and essays posted on his personal website received much sharing from like-minded souls. His hidden potential was unlocked," also said poet Phan Hoang.

Following Huynh Khang's poetry, many people notice that his words are full of melody and rising tones. Therefore, I wasn't surprised when he taught himself music, studied with a teacher, and set some of his poems to music, achieving considerable success and rapid popularity among music lovers. At the same time, many musicians resonated with Huynh Khang's poetry. For example, the song of the same name, set to the poem "Only Your Smile":

Just your smile

Why is my heart so restless?

Just your smile

Why is my soul so confused…?

Like the song of the same name, set to the poem "Land of Memories":

There is a peaceful countryside in my memories.

There is a long sandy beach that reflects the memories of my childhood.

There is a river that embraces the mountain range.

It held me captive for decades…

Writer Tran Nha Thuy observed: "Here, I don't intend to compare Huynh Khang with Nguyen Binh, but it's clear that the rural spirit in the country folk, from Nguyen Binh's time to the present day, is no longer something many people are as conscious of preserving as Huynh Khang."

Words like "thiếu điều," "chàng ràng," "trật lất," "gáy sảng," "chém ho"... are not just dialects, but also expressions of the heart's memories, anchoring the honest soul of the homeland. As Nguyễn Duy said: "Suddenly I remember so clearly / I remember a road I've never traveled before"...

That honesty, it doesn't bring people any fame, but after the ups and downs of life, it's something they crave, miss, and long for. Like a thirsty, clear, cool source of water."

Artist Huynh Khang shared: "I was born in 1973 in Phuoc Nong village, Hoa Binh 1 commune, Tay Hoa district, Phu Yen (formerly); now Tay Hoa commune, Dak Lak. I never imagined that one day I would find myself immersed in literature and poetry."

"From a young age, I lived in the fields, then I left my hometown for the city to study, work, get married, and raise children... A dizzying whirlwind in the streets of Saigon. I studied and worked in pharmacy, hardly doing any writing. Then one day, amidst the turmoil of the pandemic, my love for literature and singing surged within me, forcing me to express myself in songs and poems. And so I became completely engrossed."

Despite writing and publishing in many places, Huynh Khang only selected 50 poems for his poetry collection "Land of Memories." The poems draw inspiration from his hometown in the Nẫu region. He said: "I have lived in many places, but only my poems about my hometown in the Nẫu region have been written so far. As for other places, I'll have to wait longer for them to truly sink in…"

The poetry collection "Land of Memories" - the simple yet soaring essence of Huỳnh Khang's soul after 5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that this unadorned voice, this unique writing style, full of character, will be a guarantee for Huỳnh Khang's continued development on his unique path of poetic and artistic creation.

Back to the topic

DAO DUC TUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mien-nho-tu-trong-dai-dich-20251025204906463.htm