Musings on water hyacinth

Borrowing the image of the purple-flowered water hyacinth, a symbol of fidelity, journalist and poet Nguyen Hong Vinh evokes memories of the Ho Chi Minh soldiers and their comrades during the war against the US, when, as night fell, they bravely plunged into the rushing river, weaving among the water hyacinths to conceal themselves from the enemy. Many female guerrillas were waiting on the opposite bank to welcome the troops, using their checkered scarves as signals to guide the soldiers in surrounding the enemy's outpost, eliminating the enemy, and liberating the villages and hamlets from foreign oppression.

With peace restored, the veteran still fondly remembered the land of his past, his heart overflowing with joy at meeting one of the female guerrillas whose hair, now tinged with the color of time, still wore a smile of deep affection. This woman, like a water hyacinth, remained faithfully purple, having shared hardships, accepted sacrifices, and tirelessly supported the soldiers during a time of war. The poem is simple, yet a beautiful and unforgettable memory, leaving the author deeply moved by the unexpected happiness!

We are pleased to present this poem to our readers:

MEMORIES OF WATER HYACINTH

I returned to the Mekong Delta via Vam Co.

I gazed wistfully at the floating water hyacinths.

Purple flowers float gently along the riverbank.

Every night, the sky is ablaze with fireworks!

Clinging to the water hyacinths, the troops crossed the river.

She took me into the secret cellar.

The checkered scarf is a sacred symbol.

I led my comrades to attack the enemy's stronghold and eliminate them.