Poems by Van Liem

Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού

Author VAN LIEM (DAO VAN LUONG). His true name is DAO VAN LUONG, his pen name is VAN LIEM    

Place of Birth:  Sai Gon. Native Village: Co Am, Vinh Bao District, Hai Phong Province, Vietnam. He is a Ph.D. of Chemistry- Physics. Member of Writers Association. Ho Chi Minh City

CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES: His books of poems were published: ‘Immense Nostalgia’ – Youth Publishing House Ho Chi Minh City, ‘The Peaceful Wharf’ – Van Hoc Publishing House, ‘My Profession’ – Writers Association Publisher,. And a lot of printed works in newspapers, magazines, and general publications.

HIS SIX POEMS:

SEA AND WAVES – Author: VAN LIEM

Translator: LE ANH ( LETHANH BA  – ABAHN LETH)

Alas! You call me the sea

At the shore, I cannot see

Sails are drunken with wind

Looking at a dream landing…

You’re a small wave as ever

The ocean is always vaster

You think, small is your destiny

Searching for the far-away sea…

Then one of the afternoons windy

Waves have silver heads, already

Together waves get along with a desire

What do waves look for and wherever

My heart is like the deep sea

Hide my sadness in memory

Worry and anxiety from the sea

Waiting for your coming to sea

The love of the sea is very immense

Waves are nervous in remembrance

When the sea is in a storm, oh Lord!

Waves rush to crash against shores…

Sometimes the sea is lonely

On the windless days dreamy

Where waves don’t break shores

The sea is in vast sadness, Lord!

the sea has no waves in the distance

The sea cannot become a great ocean

If You’re a little wave, not enough

But you know giving your love…

MY CAREER – Author: VAN LIEM

Translator: HONG NGOC CHAU

I chose this career when so young as a child

The age of twenties rises up wings to enter life.

Every job has sadness and joy to harmonize

To concern also to the normal and righteous life.

I remember the first day to practice my profession

Standing in front of juniors I had moved emotion

The happy and sad thoughts in my heart stirred

Absorbed deeply in every word of my lecture.

Teachers and students evacuated in years of war

We built our school with bamboo and straw

The love of teachers and students was so proud

Cultivated our relationship for the green to sprout

Our country is in unification we are full of enthusiasm

With a backpack, I was moved to the South, so simple

Still with the lecture halls, still with the juniors

Still with the warm love of teachers and students we adore

The day after day life changing is endless

When people are eager to do business

Sometimes I am sad in two minds to what I have done

Which career will I choose for being the richest one?

A lot of money will be lost illimitably

If someone is rich without his own ability.

I return to the school roof, close to the juniors

I have lived the most beautiful days as before

My job does not allow me to be rich in material

But it will always be full of the love of human

SEA AND YOU – Author: VAN LIEM

(Dedicated to Captain V. L)

Translator: HONG NGOC CHAU

I was born in a port city

Growing up, I loved the sea

Once in the afternoon on the hometown coast

You brought me a passionate love, I’m like a boat

You gave me both the blue sky and white clouds

You gave me the early sunshine drops around

As the long sandy beach is thirsty for caressing waves

I received your love in passion, this has come to stay

There were afternoons we quietly sat side by side

Watching the sails far away at the horizon at the sight

Sea breeze made us heartily passionate, endless

You secretly wish for deep love and happiness.

One afternoon I sensed the sea and shore urging

I went on board, to the sea by way of wave crossing

You wept on the beach with a waving handkerchief

Your love is like an immense sea I believed

There were several times of silent sea quiet nights

Rolling waves were gold-plated under the moonlight

I was hugging the guitar to send songs to you

Don’t I know that I love you or the sea as the clue?

I’ve recalled afternoons when the ship to dock already

I was fretty with longing for the beloved sea city

I came back to bring along the ocean wind

You were waiting with a sky of nostalgia within

I embraced you and loved you so much more

Listening in the heart waves have pushed the shore

You are here and I still think as if I was dreamy

I understand we love each other like the sea.

After times of coming home, I miss the waves again

I followed the ship around the ocean. Hence

The sea in rage is angry and in jealousy

As blaming I love you more than the sea.

The ship was far but it could not forget the shore

Waves were swaying up and down the deck, Oh, Lord!

Not only the ship but also the ocean I love

With all my heart I love you fervidly in hope…

Hai Phong Port, January 1992

MY REMEMBRANCE OF HA NOI – Author: VAN LIEM

Translator: HONG NGOC CHAU

I missed much the Hà Nội’s summer afternoons

The Hồ Tây wind blew sailboats from afar in tunes

The pink lotus flowers gave a very sweet smell

Whose boats were floating in a dream I fell?

I missed much the Hà Nội’s autumn afternoons

The long streets with light drizzle in tunes

Whose string instrument echoed from the quiet alley

In the yard, the coldish wind was coming north-westerly

I missed much the Hà Nội’s winter afternoons as told

The North-castly wind made tamarind-trees cold

Whose lamp light that dyed door frames yellow?

Behind the curtain dimly appeared a dear shadow

I missed much the Hà Nội’s afternoons of spring

On the Sword Lake surface, lamplight was reflecting

Like a festival, flaps drifted, flaps of clothing

By the lake, for someone who was waiting?…

SILENTLY CALLING YOUR NAME – Author: VAN LIEM

Translator: HONG NGOC CHAU

I silently call your name in my sleep at night…

Silently call your name in the early morning light

I call your name at tilted dusk with the colored clouds

Beyond the window, the tilted moon was hanging out

I call your name to diminish my nostalgia

Decreasing the distance… and time… of the lovers

I call your name in storm-wind and heavy rain of life

Or the vicissitudes of chaos exist in my mind

I call your name in desire and ardent longing

In the sad and joyful memories that are raising

I call your name in the melancholy regret

You sometimes feel grief because I’m upset

I call your name when I miss you very much

Your close figure my heart want to keep in touch

I call your name to keep our faith forever

To keep our pledge of allegiance as ever

I call your name for more and more nostalgia…

HOW MUCH DO I NEED YOU?

Translator: HONG NGOC CHAU

I love you as the blue sky loves white clouds

I seek you as sea waves find the shore around

Overflowing waves kiss the innocent sandy beach

The smooth sandy beach is stunned with happiness.

You and me like lyrics and the music

Souls of attaching lyrics music create

I need you due to the desire of loving gain

As drought waits for the summer rain

I wait for you as a bamboo range waits for the wind

Remember there’s a mother’s lullaby in mind

I need you in the time of sadness or joy

In misery, we can share life turmoil

I need you to ease my nostalgia indeed

For occluding my lonely emptiness

I love you like poetry-loving haste

To give life more flavor of sweet taste

I love you sincerely and simply, it’s true

I need you … how much do I need you?

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