A poem in Vietnamese by Nguyễn Đình Toàn
Translator: Nguyễn Thị Phương Trâm

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Phạm Thái Anthem

I’m a joke of a knight, heart unbending, the softness of a blade

Antics in Trương Quỳnh Như’s eyes, a heroic jester.

Small mind bloated ego, blaming everything on fate,

Talentless, resenting the lack of opportunities.

An embittered heart drowning in an adventurous spirit,

Consuming cups of flames burning up time.

An injured soul on fire in the dark of night,

An anxious stallion was desperate for the road.

Is it raining sadness or is the world merely crying,

Yeasty spirit chilling on cold fingertips.

A hand full of afternoons minus the wisdom of living and wisdom of grey hair

Barely avenged was the family’s honour minus the debt of land and country.

Ashamed and oblivious minus the worldly knowledge,

Bowing to the sword, minus the bloodshed.

I’m…