Remembering Truong Sa - Poem by Hoang Thuy Anh

Illustration: Van Nguyen

1.

the sun hangs behind

your shadow fills my chest

Are you seasick or drunk on the salty wind of my eyes?

the sea dances murmuring white night

I asked you do you remember your hometown much?

well thirty years or so

full moon on human shoulder

2.

my father lay in the forest when i was little

mother hugged the worn silver backpack tightly

night listening to the wind blowing from Can Gio

This trip I took my dad to Truong Sa.

The sea snail still sings the song of fifty young men parting the waves

the wind howls from all directions

tonight with you and dad

tell me the story of the forest and the island

the light of the sea flower

3.

four sides of sunlight intertwined

schools of fish chatting leisurely

Oval-shaped Da Thi Reef

like the Lac Viet fire that burned for a thousand years

remember yesterday Len Dao Co Lin sea area

the shadow of a soldier leaning toward the open sea

sunken island with no shade trees

the sound of waves and whispers

Nowhere is as salty as the submerged island

salty taste of love blood and tears

64 hearts beating together

permeated with sparkling coral

4.

human voice warmer than dream

tell me about the color of water

sun window sea

fragrant green buds

who put stars full night

touch everywhere is immense

salty everywhere

only the kiss of the sea is a milestone of memory

life jacket re-fastener

waving goodbye to each other across the white waves

train whistle wraps the sunset

heart softer than stormy afternoon

( Excerpt from Remembering Truong Sa)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nho-truong-sa-tho-cua-hoang-thuy-anh-185250621175655818.htm