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POETRY/THƠ

Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm | James (132)

Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm, the poet and translator, born 1971 in Phu Nhuan, Saigon, Vietnam. The pharmacist currently lives and works in Western Sydney, Australia.

By Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

Written for James on his 18th birthday

18,
The day Hitler died(1945)
Saigon fell(1975)

You were born kid(1999)
A pale baby,
Your heritage, the isles of the Philippines

Born on the island of Australis
Skin deepened
In the land of giant birds

A smiling baby
Brooding young youth
To shouldering the world

You are just 18:
Much to learn
Ego to earn
Infinite paths

You are but 18.

Happy birthday kid.

M

NB. A recollection of 30/4/2017, there’s hope yet in our children.

By Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

There's magic in translating a body of work from one language to another.

One reply on “Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm | James (132)”

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