I Don't Mind

I don’t mind the warm July air

When I’m with you in the summer time in Disney

I don’t mind the wait at the gate

When a magic ride will be the reward

I don’t mind late nights past bedtime

When music and colors explode in the sky

I don’t mind not eating for a while

When sumptuous dinners will satisfy

I don’t mind keeping the fast pace

When we will have gone to more places

I don’t mind napping once a day

When the heat is strong and the body wishes rest

I don’t mind the early start each day

When my head wants a pillow but my heart leaps with joy

I don’t mind being among the lucky

To sit up front for the Festival of The Lion King

When you get to be part of the show

To walk around the stage and shake the beads in a can

I don’t mind listening to It’s a Small World twice

When I see you are mesmerized by it all

I don’t mind having you choose me

To journey with you on many rides

As when we plan our vacation of the future

Or  shoot lasers as we spin our seats round and round

I don’t mind putting my arms around you

To let you know you have me when you’re scared

As when the thunder roars and the lightning strikes

Or when the rough roller coaster makes you cry

I don’t mind taking time off my busy schedule

When in the long run you matter much more

One day when you say, “Do you remember when…”

I’ll say yes, dear, as I treasure these July days always

Collage 22

I drink from a big thermos while Daddy drinks from my tiny cup

  I am a big boy now

I share food and fun with my newfound Taiwanese friends

  I am groomed to be a world traveler

I use bold colors to decorate my books

  It’s so therapeutic, I’ll say

I help Mommy choose the right wines at shopping

  It’s important to give Bà Ngoại the best when she visits

I vacuum our floor with the powerful Dyson machine

  You just have to think of chores as games

To hone my intellectual skills I play with beads

  And of course I read to my dragon and baby

I love learning new things at museums

  And aquariums of all shapes and sizes

I practice what I’ve learned every day

  Like tying my shoelaces or watering holes

I take a break from getting smart now and then

  To cavort with uncles lest they are lonely

Being my mother’s son it is hard to sit still

  But there are times a fellow has to slow down

So once in a while you may just catch

  Me quietly watching the airplanes come and go

And at the end of the hard working day

  In deep slumber you’ll find me resting

You Were My Anchor

Lovely you looked in the white wedding dress

You’d touched my heart the first moment we met

I am the lucky guy who caught your eyes

That sparkled with a passion I don’t possess

You came to be my partner in life

Walking by my side you were a devoted wife

You were the torch that shined the path

Which you were to share with me, the lucky chap

I rode on the wind that you had swirled

With the spirit that never did die

I rode on the wings that you had spread       

Far and wide whether they were heavy or light

You were the anchor that kept me upright

I followed you and thought you followed me instead

You were my center I did not realize

Until you were gone and forever closed your eyes

You were the gentle soul who brought happiness

To those around you, strangers and friends alike

You calmed a storm that fueled inside me

And slowed my steps to enjoy the simple pleasures in life

Now God has deemed your tasks were done

And has called you home where home you’ll be

Without you to hold me I’m a wretched soul

I weep in sorrow and watch for your shadow the dark nights 

Box of Letters

My husband and I had a three-year long-distance relationship before we were married. The letters we wrote each other were put into a box and stashed away somewhere in the basement and largely forgotten as children grew and life proceeded. Once in a while we reminisce about our old letters to each other. I’d go down to the basement in search for the letters and come back empty-handed. Perhaps they had been inadvertently thrown away during one of the many moves.

I went down to the basement the other day to clear out the Girl Scout camping equipment that someone said she wanted to have. While at it, I thought I also had a box of Girl Scout pencils on a bookshelf and wanted to give them away as well. I didn’t find the pencils, but I found the elusive box of letters. I didn’t dwell much on the reason I missed this box in previous searches, nor did I care to know where the pencils were, I took the box upstairs.

A flood of memories and emotions engulfed me as the box did not just contain letters my husband and I wrote to each other, but letters I’ve received from friends and family members as well as my own diaries scribbled on pieces of paper. It was a bittersweet experience as I pored over writings of four decades ago. Sometimes it seemed as if I was reading about a young girl who is removed from myself. I felt for her. She held dark thoughts I have long forgotten. Things forgotten are now available in ink. Some of them brought tears to my eyes.

I marveled at the special relationship each letter conveyed. Someone cared enough to write me, put a stamp on an envelope and mailed me a letter. Did I forget I was indeed loved by many as I forgot the depth of the turmoil within me? Did I actually say this country will never be my second country for I only had one and lost it? Did I try to forget my old friends for I never thought I’d ever see them again? Did I think I didn’t deserve even self-love?

I told a friend about the box. He exclaimed that he felt emotional as he was listening to me. He was the first to whom I confided that it was a lie when I wrote recently that I loved this country “since the day I stepped on its soil.” It didn’t agree with what was on a piece of paper forty years ago. He didn’t judge. He understood. He thinks I have a story to tell – at least to my children. I think I will.

Rainy Days

Rainy days bring back memories

Of my old land when I whisper her name

I’ve gone far away in sorrow and tears

Not knowing what have become of dear friends

I’ve gone far away taking flight

Leaving youth behind for a brand new life

I’ve brought with me a wistful longing

In a world full of dreams to be realized

I’ve closed out the chapters of days gone by

And carefully folded away the white dress of old times

It’s been many years and I still yearn for

The days of freedom for my native land

As surely as the rain will be here again

A bright day will arrive when oppression must give way

I’ll come home to wipe away the parting tears

Joyfully welcoming the rainbow for us appears

Collage 21

I am

Under the blue sky

Everything is bright

Don’t you stay inside

If you are alive

Unless you’re to swim

In a cool Y pool

Or to see Grandpa

Being sick afar

Or to jump with glee

On the bed made prettily

With a quilt laid out nicely

By Mama who loves fineries

Otherwise come out

Give the world a shout

Join with me to show

People how to crow

Don’t hesitate awhile

But wield a big smile

Give the world your all

Did you hear its call

For you to respond

Let’s go fly a kite

Anywhere is fine

As long as you’re kind

A park should be great

If you’re under eight

Feet high, I meant to say

There are many ways

To be merry in plays

Bring a friend and stay

Sit low on a wagon

Sit high on a swing

Check out the park benches

The merry-go-rounds, too

Give Mama a ride

On your tiny trike

Let’s cook up a storm

Make sure you’re fed

Lick an ice cream cone

Share it when you’re not alone

Let the wind blow wild

But hold on to your hat

Lest the wind take it

Far away from you

When the day is done

You may need to rest

And not chase after a hat

While the wind is laughing

At you.

White Coral Vine - Hoa Ti Gôn

This poem is written for my dear friend Lan Cung whose story inspired it, both in English and in Vietnamese.

Mến tặng Cung Lan

Diệm Trân

White Coral Vine

March 2015

The white coral vine I picked just for you

Whose opening blossoms speak well of my love

Stirs in me something I’ve never known before

My heart sings while I wait for and dream of you

My yearnings lie in the minutes ticking by

My feelings weave a poem to you I must write

In your dreams I have come to tend to your health

Like a fool burning with desires I wait till you wake again

The white coral vine blossoms are so beautiful

I am so moved by the attention I’ve received

If the path had been paved for you and me together

My icy heart would have surely melted just for you

I hope your chosen path will bring you much joy

The coral vine will always stay pure and white in my mind

One day if we will ever happen to be face to face

Smile at me while I fondly remember the time we’d shared

Hoa Ti Gôn

Tháng 2 năm 2015

Ti gôn trắng muốn cài lên tóc mượt

Hái tặng em sao em lại hững hờ

Tình mới hé như ti gôn chớm nở

Anh ước mơ trong giây phút đợi chờ

Tình gói ghém mong tim em rung động

Thương em nhiều anh muốn viết thành thơ

Anh đến bên em trong giấc ngủ mơ

Đợi em tỉnh anh như kẻ dại khờ

Này anh hỡi hoa ti gôn tuyệt đẹp

Cảm động tấm lòng âu yếm trong hoa

Nếu duyên số đã bày tên hai đứa

Thì đã đâu còn băng giá tim em

Mong anh vui trong con đường anh chọn

Hoa ti gôn sẽ trắng mãi trong thơ

Nếu ngày nao ta có gặp lại nhau

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