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?
