Page 71 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Thanh Thanh

NOWADAYS
Original “Bây Giờ” by LÊ
MAI

Now that the opportunity to return is lost,
Restless resonance on sad separation is the cost.
My spirit, many times, the echoes in a slumber
Of the old golden dreams do still encumber.

Redundant powder with the wind is gone;
Musing upon evenings in life I stand drawn.
The congratulations, the laughter grown grey:
In the thin air all sweet sounds are swept away.

Suddenly my heart bursts into rapids, cascades,
To detain me lonely to death between palisades.
Months and years are layered along the road:
I thus hasten trying to safeguard my prime abode.

May I win and enjoy a dearly desirable dream
Albeit such fog to fade next day will deem.
Now that my reveries of the future have failed,
I lie sighing with my thoughts on the past nailed.

Nowadays even a smile has lost its own time;
World imprints are dilute on my soul tiny clime.
On the way home I walk alone, a lonely shadow
Calmly feeling that the young has died long ago.

However, even though there only remains smart
I still long to return to peaceful days at the start.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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