My Private Shore – Poem by Nguyen Nha Tien

Every day the river goes further away
flowed a little of my homeland
mother far away,
I'm far away too
green grass only tries to build up the past

Illustration: Tuan Anh

Every day river
every few
deserted wharf, morning and afternoon ferry calls
unexpected hair rustle
blow away from nothingness blow away

Silent sand of a countryside
suddenly rushed footsteps urging
riverside rapeseed flowers yellow
The sun is busy carrying the season to find someone

Sitting absentmindedly looking at the clouds
The stork flew as if letting sadness fall from its eyes.