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The Carried Along Night

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Translated by Andy Kale
 
 

There remains the voice to be offered in pain

What's the use of longing for the old horizon ?

In my veins the blood is continuously running

Let it flow til the time of the sun's fading.

 

I am myself worn and dry like a path,

Being together only once can be enough for the turbulence waiting

How can I do to hold your heart ?

Let it be pacified with dumb eyes before the immense sea.

 

Do you see in the sky tonight ?

Every star is like an unjust death appealing

I parted from you with two arms embracing the earth,

An earthly scent clinging to my sorrowful feet

 

Is there anything left over,

Oh! the thousand directions ?

Which bird volunteers to fly straight into the cage ?

Which larvae all its life lies in its cocoon ?

 

I am peaceful in parting time

With the nothingness carried along in the half-empty wine gourd.

My stirred blood chirrups for joy over the numerous smiles

(Do you shout for joy during the bullet-shooting time ?)

 

Which hand's reach sweeps through the mountains night after night ?

Among shoe-prints, upturning boundless humility;

I throw my love down under the bridge

To my conscience I plead guilty.

 

Be proud of dying for the homeland,

And breathe for me like the soil

For how can I put up my grave when I am in another place?

For how can my pain be shared by another race?

 

Forget me like that final night

For there isn’t any grace, for a traitor to seek life

Crush my love in those hands

Open your eyes, look up, you need not despair

 

I am dazed as your lips are hovering

During the day of lying and waiting, for the day of re-creation

Is there a more tender accident than drunkenness?

Just as cut off as when you change a piece of clothing

Nguyen Duc Batngan

Original title: Dem Mang Theo
From: "Binh Minh Cam" (Shrouded Dawn)
A collection of poetry written in 1975
published in 1985.

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