Page 111 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Thanh Thanh

I AM ALREADY DEAD

Original “Tôi Đã Chết Rồi” by NGUYỄN
PHÚ LONG

I have died, please do not take me to the sea
Because the horrible images have infixed in me:
Immense water... there, the boat's chips around!
People suppressed their resentment and drowned.

I have departed, thank you for being so benign
Broad-minded friends for writing each poetic line,
Obituaries, condolences, either pick-ups or dear,
Fresh wreaths as to deplore, sorrow so austere.

On the threshold, continue to behave as we were;
Sooner or later, there must be once, do not demur!
“Love, darling, sweetheart” are now the old time:
Nice memories, charming moments, so sublime.

Fuddy-duddy however all my existence haughty;
A garment mount, food bag: life or death is potty.
Offerings, procession, light candles, fragrant incense
Will pass fast like straw fire or thin smoke hence.

I have deceased; sky and earth has nothing missed,
Relatives have to hastily work all days to subsist,
Boys and girls round-the-clock pursue their affair;
The ones go, the others come, much toiling to bear.

I am dead! Vertical, horizontal will line my grave;
Leaves and grass' green color, birds' sound-wave.
Conjugal-love, eternal love, whose promise, deign?
In the future I will reincarnate, we will meet again.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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