Two poems rich in nostalgia by author Mai Hoang Hanh

We would like to introduce to readers two compositions by author Mai Hoang Hanh with emotions distilled from memories, time and affection for her homeland.

Illustration of a poem by Pham Thi Nghia.

Look back

There was a moment of looking back
New or dewy hair
The footsteps are engrossed
Still buried in the old homeland

The ancient shelf of the season is falling
Dead leaves fly into the sky
Thunder seemed to falter
The rain hesitantly let go

Then one day I looked back
Cloudy white hair
The grass calls for the distant season
The land hears the trees move.

Lullaby

Afternoon rolling on thatched roof
Kitchen smoke sprinkles the tree canopy
The road is shaded by leaves
Mother’s back is curved and thin

The kitchen was filled with tears of fire
Some luck rushed around the corner of the yard
Mother sat on the doorstep
Feel the pure rain

Areca scent woven into smoky hair
Mother’s hair is cloudy white
The water jar at the end of the porch
Holding the fairy sky

I picked up the knock on the door
Take the night into the eyes of autumn
Mom retreated and built a fire
Light a lullaby. Mai Hoang Hanh, real name is Do Danh Hanh, born in 1981, hometown in Trung Kenh, Bac Ninh province. Currently the author works at Division 306, Military Region 1 and is a member of the Literature and Arts Association of Bac Ninh province.

To date, Mai Hoang Hanh has published 7 collections of poetry and short stories for children. The author received the Encouragement Award for Literature and Arts of Bac Ninh province in the period 2012 – 2017, along with 2 Second prizes and 2 Third prizes at literary composition competitions organized by the Bac Ninh Provincial Literature and Arts Association in 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024.