Waiting At The Gate Poem by VO THI NHU MAI

when I was small the old woman next door
mother of a fallen soldier
would sit by the bamboo gate at twilight
asking the way to the southern front

her knees rose higher than her head
her back bent like time itself
but the sound of footsteps made her stir
as if news might finally find her

years passed and she forgot many things
but never forgot to wait
her lips no longer asked for places
only murmured why he had not come

now I walk past the vast fields of poppies
tombs filled with weeds sleeping side by side
under this peaceful sky I feel the ache
the solemn weight of peace paid in full