Great lessons from Uncle Ho's self-written poems

Uncle Ho's self-compassion poems are often short, written in traditional poetic forms of the nation, with simple lyrics but carrying profound humanistic meanings. In particular, self-compassion poems also express many aspects of Uncle Ho's personality and soul.

First of all, the self-composed poem shows Uncle Ho's sense of responsibility towards the country, the people, and the fate of the nation. In 1949, on the occasion of Uncle Ho's 59th birthday, a member of the Government suggested a birthday celebration. Knowing his intention, Uncle Ho cleverly refused with a quatrain: "Because of the country, we should not think about home/ Fifty-nine years old is not old/ Wait until the resistance is successful/ You should celebrate my birthday". The poem is gentle, somewhat humorous, but clearly shows his awareness of putting "country" above "home", putting "successful resistance" before "celebrating his own birthday". Uncle Ho's lifelong concern for the country and the people is also clearly depicted.

President Ho Chi Minh working in Viet Bac in 1952. Photo: Internet

The desire to unify the country and the steadfast belief in the victory of the resistance war against the US to save the country were also movingly expressed in Uncle Ho's autobiography. In 1964, on the occasion of his 74th birthday, he wrote a poem expressing his "ultimate desire" for a day when "North and South are one", "the people are rich and the country is strong": "Seventy-four years old and still not old / Trying to fulfill our duty / When North and South are one / The people are rich and the country is strong, we will be happy". In 1968, at this time his health was poor, but he was still optimistic and confident in the victory of the revolution. The last autobiography was like Uncle Ho calling on himself and the children of the whole country to move forward to win the final victory, clearly showing that spirit: "Seventy-eight years old and still firmly holding the country's two shoulders / The resistance war of our people is winning big / Go forward, we and our children!" .

In particular, self-compassion poems also show that Uncle Ho was an optimistic person, loved life with a carefree and easy-going attitude. In the self-compassion poem written in Chinese characters "That cuu" written on his 63rd birthday, Uncle Ho pointed out a common psychological rule of people before age, which is the fear of old age: "Nhan vi ngu tuan thuong than lao" (people under 50 years old lament old age). However, for Uncle Ho, old age is not a burden but also a meaningful life experience. Therefore, in his self-compassion poems, Uncle Ho often joked wittily but also philosophically: "Fifty-nine years old and still not old", "Sixty years old and still young / Compared to Mr. Bang, still young", "Ngã kim thất Cửu chinh khang Cường" (I am now 63 years old and still strong), " Seventy-four years old and still not old", even "Seventy-eight years old and not too old".

In addition, the self-commemoration poem also shows Uncle Ho's extremely positive attitude towards old age. In his self-commemoration poem at the age of 60, Uncle Ho wrote: "Eat well, sleep well, work well/ In this world, how is one not inferior to a fairy?" On his 63rd birthday, Uncle Ho also wrote: "Living frugally, with a refreshing spirit/ Working leisurely through the long years." On his 74th birthday, Uncle Ho "tried to fulfill his duty." Even a year before he passed away , Uncle Ho calmly affirmed: "Still firmly shouldering the work of the country and the country." Clearly, the above verses show that Uncle Ho was aware of his responsibility towards the country and life, maintaining a frugal and moderate lifestyle, maintaining a love of life and enthusiasm for work, promoting the spirit of physical exercise, and maintaining a relaxed attitude towards life.

In the diverse literary career of President Ho Chi Minh, his self-written poems are not large in number (5 poems) but they have many unique values, vividly expressing many aspects of the great man and his noble personality and beautiful soul. Celebrating his birthday, re-reading the poems he wrote in the past, we learn more profound lessons from him.

Pham Khanh Ngan

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202505/nhung-bai-hoc-lon-tu-tho-tu-tho-cua-bac-ho-63e177f/