Nguyen Sy Binh
Based in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nguyen Sy Binh was born on December 13, 1963 in Hanoi, where he works as a state official. He is known as an official who loves poetry and writes poetry. At the end of 2022 he unexpectedly released his first poetry collection. The poem collection ‘Four Seasons in Love’ consists of 103 poems with many topics … The love and nostalgia in his poetry is like anyone else. His words, his means, his thoughts and feelings that are so free, innocent, sincere, rustic like the characteristic he is. He keeps poetizing, pursuing a writing career and planning to release his second poetry collection in the second half of 2023.
The age of full moon
The house where you lived
Looking towards the field
Green rice spreading immensely
Scent of the domestic wind and the field
I and teammates
Stationed at the edge of the village
In seasonal days we usually came
To your home for help
There were carrying and unloading
Yellow loads of rice
There were baskets of sweet potatoes
Warm military and people’s love
Your hair was to touch
At two thin shoulders
Innocent round eyes
The age of full moon
Whenever I came early
Usually you picked me up at the gate
Your eyes were shining
Looking at the young soldier
I was so happy
When you were by my side
Working hard and forgetting
The time of meal break
Potatoes you broke in half
Bringing to eat together
Told me that not to eat so fast
The potato was still hot
In my heart, I suddenly felt
Sweet vibration
Tumultuous soul
Hoping for tomorrow… dear you
You smiled softly
“I will wait for you
When would be enough for coming springs
We will be husband and wife!”
***
I love my country
I have traveled along the country
From poplar forests to mangrove forests of Ca Mau
Many countryside though each place is different
However they are so beloved
I came to the Northwest area in the sowing season
The whole mountain covered with a green color
High mountains winding around
The white clouds were as vast as the sea surface
On the top of Fansipan looking to the four sides
Seeing the immense and majestic heaven and earth
The Northwest people were honest and gentle
Love markets were colorful
I went, went to the Northeast area
The place where rivers were flowing slowly
The fields spreading out immensely
Where the blue sea crashing waves for thousands of years,
I went to Tra Co poplar forest
Went to Ha Long with the natural heritage
Listening to my soul with the endless waves
Understanding the confidential feeling from wild times
My footsteps were so leisurely
By the Sword Lake of the capital
The leisurely afternoon listening to waves of West Lake surface
Quoc Tu Giam was majestic and quiet
I remembered the time of fighting the enemy
The Central area was indomitable and resilient
Many soldiers did not regret blood and bones
For a Vietnam with Freedom – Independence
I discovered the land of culinary Kinh Ky
Cultural features imbued with the ancient capital
Local sayings, local accents
Feeling so close beloved
Listening to elegant music at the ancient capital of Hue
Went to Phong Nha at the land of Quang Binh
Up to Hai Van to watch the sunrise
Listening to folksongs of Nghe An, Ha Tinh
I went to the windy Highlands
The people with main features of Central Highlands
Natural landscapes with heaven and earth
Beautiful and passionately holding my feet
I went to the south of the country
Where the cradle of great folksong amateurs
The East, the West to the far sea
Mekong region with rivers, streams and canals
The ripened rice, the straight gardens
The dishes of Southern style
Genuine people working hard
Creating a dynamic Southern characteristic…
My country with blue sky and vast sea
With people and natural beauty
I love so much when the country standing up
Transformed into the Dragon Age
***
My village
The village road with leaned bricks
It was through so many rainy and sunny seasons
At hot noon, it makes the road quieter
The village bamboos rustle when the shacked wind
The banyan tree is as high as clouds at entrance of the village
Its shadows cover the ancient village gate
The place for everyone to rest and discuss
“Will this crop be bountiful?”
In my childhood I lived with my father and mother
In a cottage, its walls were made of earth
Rural life was so difficult
However still carefree and full of laughter
We were kids often gathering to play
Traditional games passed down from our fathers and grandfathers
Earth firecrackers, fighting, flying kites that were not afraid
Of mud to smear our faces
Also sometimes helping our parents
In caring pigs, chickens, unloading straws, drying paddy
Burst to tears when seeing rain some days
The paddy had not yet been collected and was already wet
My village was like a floating boat
Among the green of the vast sea of rice
The wind blowing over the green field like silk
Suddenly wavering like waves in the sea
Leisure farm works, everyone went through
Helping relatives and community
Unloading straws, chopping trees, digging ponds, upgrading houses
For being peaceful in the stormy days
Growing up away from home, my heart still carried
The whole way of life of the beloved village
Wherever I am, my heart always looks
To return home one day soon…
My village is so lovely…
Be a fulcrum on the way I walk
***
To Hue, please
You please come to the ancient capital once
To immense with the pine trees of Ngu mountain
To release your soul on the Huong river down to Thien Mu
Where the poetic Kim Long wharf looking for
Pine trees cheering in harmony with the sound of birds
The place where the Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty Kings
History flowing like to tell a story
About the time of ancient Vietnam
Wandering, dreaming to walk in the rain
To feel the landscape and the people in Hue
Silent Hue is so beautiful
Such touching beauty when entering in here
The majestic imperial capital, the sky and the clouds by the time
Nine cauldrons symbolizing the longevity of the dynasty
The elegant music in the Palace echoed
A graceful shadow of Ao dai taking one’s soul
You please once, when the sun goes out
Going to Toa Kham wharf to listen to the song of Hue
Understanding why your heart loves so much
When the boat plugging to wait for whom?
Do you see, the long dress of ao dai
Purple sunset beside Truong Tien that day
Go back to Hue please, you’ll see
There is no place as beautiful as Hue, my dear
The moon of Hue is so clear and round
Like a poem-hat I’m waiting for
Go back, even though the road is far away
Go back, please… Hue embraces you in its heart!
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