Page 147 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Thanh Thanh
Translation by THANH-THANH

WRONG FEET SANDALS

Original “Dép Ngược”
by TRƯƠNG MINH DŨNG

Here in prison, I miss you so much as tears stream;
Of holding you sleeping in my arms at night I dream.
Out there do you still ask for cakes in glee
As in the old days I had you present and close to me?

What kind of piping infiltrates the barbed wires!?
It sounds like some tumble outside there that fires?
How strongly I crave for a jot of past yeast
With my young child beside the glass of wine to
feast…

My offense is too grave, due sentence of death!?
They have so incriminated me, but I save my breath.
Tomorrow when the weather is agreeable, join me
To reach out until there about my crime to query.

Today, on New Year’s Day, in prison I miss you.
Well, out there does Spring bring anything new?
Is there any gleam of light, distinct flash of fire
To burn down all the cages for the birds in ire?

How much I miss you, cherished child in my clyde
Wearing wrong feet sandals whom I always chide.
On this side they put things from the left to the right
And the truth they claim as theirs is the same bite.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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