Download PDF of this full issue: v46n1.pdf (21 MB) |
Vinh Long, 1st View (poem)
By David Sandgrund
[Printer-Friendly Version] The helicopter lifted off
Leaving him alone
Heart pounding, sweating
In the hot and humid breeze
His clothes sticking to his body
Shielding his eyes from the river's glare
He watches brown water rushing past
Green vegetation floating by
Catching on the rocks
A woman washing clothes
Another collecting the water hyacinth
Straw hats covering their heads
The breeze blowing
Their baggy pants
Their thin blouses
At the river's edge
A young girl stands
With a sweet, tender look
Smiling she hands him
A water hyacinth
Blue petals sparkling
In the sunlight
A gift from
A serene beauty
Behind him traffic noises
Tinny motors, squeaky horns
Mingle with the distant
Unintelligible voices
From the market
From passing boat
The air filled with strange odors
Fish, drying vegetation
Food from the market stalls
Avoiding the bicycles and motor bikes
He turns and walks
Down the road
—David Sandgrund
|