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VIETNAMESE
LITERATURE
TRANSLATIONS

POETRY
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DOAN PHU TU
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THE COLORS OF TIME

 Translated by NGUYEN NGOC BICH

                This morning, the birds songs are crystal clear
                          in the clear blue sky
                A warm perfume hangs in the air, like a breath of
                          spring love
                Bringing back to life memories of a thousand
                          year past
                O Princess of Ch' in, I silently offer this to you --
                A warm perfume, dyed deep in the course of time,
                          in the air ...

                The colors of time are blue, light blue
                The colors of time are purplish, a vast purple blue
                The perfumes of time are not excessive
                The perfumes of time are just right

                "A downy locket, cut with a golden knifelet
                "A thousand times shyly I offer it to you, my lord
                "As I must leave you in this lifetime, bearing no
                          grudge
                "I should rather cast down my eyes, having
                          betrayed you."

                The love of one life time is suddenly broken
                But an instant of love is enough to linger a lifetime...

 Translated by NGUYEN NGOC BICH
( SongVan Magazine, issue 11 )

 

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