VO THI NHU MAI Poems

my home is neither far nor lost
in the singing of the wind
where thatched roofs and dreams
are cradled by the temple bell
...

my heart trembles with the scent of smoke
from the family life where flame dances
and the golden rice
steamed in the quiet warmth
...

the ao dai flows
a whisper of silk
tracing the curves of history
embodying the grace of a woman's soul
...

I grew up in a land of sun and wind
with a full moon resting on the thatched roof
A few old souls told stories of gods
while children fell asleep
...

In the open sea at dawn
The pond is entered, the water parted
Deep pink lotus petals
Sip the pale, lasting moonlight
...

Poet: Vo Thi Nhu Mai
From: Western Australia

From the first note in Saigon
...

If we knew spring would never return
To strum its notes along our wandering path
If we knew the journey would drift afar
If eternity called with a sudden breath
...

I never told my father
that the birds spoke for me
those tiny flares of green and red
breaking across the sky
...

the quiet farmer's dream burns brightly, stained with blood
ploughing the soil where mothers sent their children
not to seek glory, but to guard the morning, guard it for planting
...

now the slow spring breeze
even the peach trees hold their breath
The cold has delayed past the promise of swallows
...