Ban Me - Poetry by Tran Thanh Binh

Illustration: Van Nguyen

Everyone says sadness forever

I just feel sad

Thirty years back

Not sad, just happy street!

Up a little bit of the old mountain pass

High and low houses

Red basalt coffee aroma

The rainy season continues the dry season

A little bit up to the border

Hear the cold wind blowing

Memories of the chalk source

Once upon a time, the old district was in the late night forest.

Red fire in the communal house with wine

Where are you students going?

Dilapidated corrugated iron roof and wooden walls

Green head, colorful words

The dust in the sky is back now

The flowers of the royal poinciana tree are swaying along the roadside.

Remember whose hand that year

Pick the golden color, but love!