Those who cross over touch the deepest depths…

"Live first, then write," this philosophy of writer Nam Cao has become a guiding principle for countless writers. Life is a tireless journey of gathering the myriad aspects of existence to enrich one's creative baggage, a persistent dialogue with humanity to understand what humanity demands, and from there, to define oneself through the most vibrant texts of the soul. Therefore, all creative endeavors are always a special connection between the subject and reality. It can be said that the epic poem "Crossing the Dawn" by author Lữ Mai is a typical expression of this spirit by a new generation writer.

Readers know Lu Mai as a journalist and poet. Her life and writing journey is a path marked by the passion and dedication of an energetic writer. With numerous books in various genres and many prestigious literary awards, poet Lu Mai has affirmed her unique creative mark.

The author pays special attention to the themes of soldiers and revolutionary war. Her portrayal of these themes has brought fresh perspectives to contemporary literature. "Crossing the Dawn," part of the Ministry of National Defense 's literary creation program and published by the Literature Publishing House in 2020, won third prize in the Vietnam Writers Association's literary awards for works on border and island themes from 1975 to the present.

Exploiting the strengths of epic poetry in its imagery, interwoven narratives, and emotional delivery, the poet Lữ Mai, throughout its eight chapters—"Beginning at Điêu Lương," "Myth," "Illusion," "Recreating the Dawn," "Dreams Blossoming into the Waves," "Starfish Days," "Transparent Realm," and "Returning"—guides the reader from one perspective to another, thereby expanding the dimensions of perception when thinking about the homeland's seas and islands and the subjects "blossoming into the waves."

The immensity of the vastness, the distance of the vastness, and the profound emotions of the soldiers are expressed through free verse. The book's impact on the reader is therefore like waves touching the depths of the reader's being. The hidden reflections in each stanza and chapter prompt the reader to pause, imagine, and engage in dialogue, thereby gaining a deep understanding of the story of the naval soldiers: “Every night is like tonight / no complete dream / peaceful yet precarious / breaths strained amidst countless traps / wishing / to cling to the sea and sky for a lifetime / to rest peacefully under the moonlight that wets the pillow…”

Poet Lữ Mai connected his heart to the feelings of the soldiers, having firsthand contact with the islands and also making profound associations. The origins of the soldiers of Điêu Lương, with their historical roots: "...only they can converse/with the souls taking refuge in Điêu Lương," motivated them to go forth, to continue and affirm those values.

There, the image of the mother, and more broadly, the heart of the home front, is filled with anguish, even though she "knows beforehand that when she grows up she will follow her father / yet her heart is still torn into pieces / the pain is overwhelming / and lingers longer than the last drop of the evening bell."

The epic poem thus focuses deeply on its subject matter, each story expressed with profound emotion. The soldier's journey is therefore a silent, noble one, expanding both himself and his mother's feelings into the depths of the ocean. And then, upon reaching the vastness, dreams remain restless, blossoming into the waves and sinking into the yearning of the past. The feelings of the naval soldier, expressed to his mother, lover, and homeland, are depicted in various scenes at sea: "Even the stars sway / yearning to send back to mother / to send to you a series of days of phosphorescent stars / like our story."

All of this paints a picture of diverse yet unified colors reflecting the inherent beauty and modern touches of the image of the soldier in literature. These beauties are expressed by the poet Lữ Mai with deep emotion and evocative imagery: “Oh, our soldiers! / The night is throbbing, the sea and sky are vast / Our island is a small dot, filled with melancholy / The storm roars, the waves surge, the water rises, choking our hearts.”

"Crossing the Dawn" is a harmonious blend of space and time, past and present, reality and transformation, along with a system of rich metaphorical imagery that opens up many dimensions of thought. And then, the image of the soldier reappears with the beauty of an eternal spirit, of the aspiration to be master and control the sea and sky of his homeland: "What is ultimate self-sacrifice? / It is honestly giving away a dream / Joy and sorrow are unclear / To merge oneself in a shimmering silken ribbon." The epic poem thus sows in the heart reflections on the noble aspirations of the soldier at sea.

"Crossing the Dawn" also brings moments of quiet reflection to the reader's literary experience. The losses and sacrifices, the ultimate acts of self-sacrifice, the dreams forever left behind in the ocean are expressed with profound emotion by the poet Lữ Mai. The value of peace and the depth of that blue dawn lie in the souls that remain to define the eternal truths about sovereignty .

Every genuine artistic creation has the potential to evoke profound emotions. Stemming from experiences gained during a trip to the islands of his homeland, this book thus delivers a wealth of poignant and deeply moving portrayal of the naval soldier. Lữ Mai's epic poem is a profound connection to the flow of life, adding a literary voice to the issue of maritime sovereignty. Ultimately, it is a journey that deeply touches the reader's soul.

HOANG TRAN

Source: https://baodanang.vn/channel/5433/202504/nhung-ngang-qua-cham-mien-sau-tham-4004794/