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In Exile

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Translated by Vinh Sinh
 
 

Mother, are misty clouds still hanging over
the northern pass?
My heart aches, as the after-glow
of today's sunlight radiates.
Indignation has followed me,
ever since I fled the enemy,
As if it were yesterday, but now I'm in exile.

Mother, I have only tears left
To share with people throughout the war.
Nights dash by and days are squeezed short
In my heart, as I long for home.

Mother, are you still sitting by the kitchen fire?
As the smoky fumes cover the hair flowing down
your back,
A crowd of children, but not one is left,
How could you have happy tears, Mother?

I've been sorely hurt during these days of disaster
Alas, what could I expect?
The price of freedom is so dear,
Now that the wild geese* have disappeared
over the horizon, and no news is heard...
(Back home, is Mother sleeping yet? I wonder.)

Mother, forgive me for being unfillial,
I've run out of words-all seem dead,
yet I shall bear the burden of guilt in my head,
Since what will be tomorrow, how can one know. . .

Nguyen Duc Batngan

*Used in ancient days to carry news to loved ones living afar.

Original title: Giua Ngay Biet Xu
From: "Binh Minh Cam" (Shrouded Dawn)
A collection of poetry written in 1975
published in 1985.

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