Page 73 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Thanh Thanh

MY SIMPLE MOM

Your complexion owing to face powder is bright
Mine tanned because till noon market
I am exposed to the sunlight (folk-song)

Original “Bình Dị Mẹ” by LÊ MAI

“Your complexion owing to face powder is bright”
Those folk-songs are familiar to me to croon or recite.
Who shields Mom from the sun, shelters her from the
rain
To slow down her blouses to fade, wear out or stain.
She has lived an ordinary and simple life through time
Carrying pleasure, also dealing in my line since my
prime.
My personal innermost feelings: unknown to peers.
Tanned skin? who understands how many green years.
My Mom wanted my aspirations to remain entire
And dreamed of her daughter’s future success to
acquire.
Sometimes in the misfortunate situation we had to
engage
I caught sight of Her forehead’s wrinkles of age.
Her facial appearance was cheerful when I was correct
And quiet when her beloved’s wrong made her object.
Her liability for my lot saddled her till her elderly days
Only to straighten me as a young bamboo off my
craze.
With her skinny hands, little and thrift she has nursed
me.
Mom: a tall tree to cast a shadow over this person to
be.
Translation by THANH-THANH

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