___________ VIETNAMESE LITERATURE TRANSLATIONS POETRY ___________

SONG HO ___________________________ To a lonely child ( Translated by the author ) Oh! Dear lonely child! Wandering on the street, "Where are you going, Dear? Reply to me, do not fear! Where is your Father? - Imprisoned! Your mother? - Go to the flea market. And brother? - Forced into the invasion army And sister? - Escaped by boat! How about Grandpa? - Sentenced of death! And Grandma? - Died of sadness! Your Aunt ? Vanished to N.E.Z. And Uncle? - Committed suicide! No! No more question is asked My heart is very very moved Why as a small child? You, Experience so many miseries? Why does this too small land? Many heart broken stories to be told. Now I realize Love Tree Is dead! Really dead! Now I realize the Hatred Seeds Are being grown! Being grown! Someday I certainly know You will do terrible things Someday I certainly know You will be a murderer. Oh! My dear lonely child! Do not kill! - Do not kill! Oh! My dear lonely child! Do not kill! - Do not kill! Oh! My dear lonely child! You are a hero today! You will be a hero tomorrow! ( Translated by the author ) Return to current issue Return to Contents HOME