One-hundred-word Snippet - Chè

I was choosing various chè desserts to buy when my brother called from another city. I told him I had a hankering for chè and needed to concentrate on my shopping. Afterwards, I stood in line to pay. The line was long and it moved slowly. In the end, I left without buying. Months later, we got together, my brother and I. He told me he went out to get chè after we talked. He became hungry for it during our talk. He was the one who got to eat chè, I was the one with the hankering. Not fair.

Collage 29

The sun’s still shining

On the Texas fields

The fun never stops

When my sis appears

She is so much fun

Though she’s not spoken

Her cheeks are so soft

Her smiles gladden hearts

I want her to grow

As big as I am

So we can ride bikes

And go to the pool

When I feed a goat

I want her there, too

I will share my friends

And my toys with her

Even my dragons

Bike helmet and shoes

My red hooded cape

Whatever she wants

I will make her laugh

Teach her how to run

Surely she’ll follow

Wherever I go

Night

Darkness falls

Silence presides

Resting time

For my eyes, and my soul

Thoughts shuffle

Memories flicker

Creative time

For images, imaginary and real

Eyes’re heavy

Clarity wanes

Transition time

For my mind, and body

Into another world I go

Worries are left behind

Dreaming time

Peaceful night, asleep.

Black Velvet Sweater - 100-word snippet

When I was about four years old, my mother made me a beautiful black velvet sweater. She put it on me one cold morning. That was my only layer and it did not keep me warm. I shivered and my teeth chattered as I was buying sweet rice from a street vendor. I was not comfortable, but everywhere I went, I received a compliment about the black velvet sweater. I was a quiet child and did not complain. Perhaps I was too cold to talk. I learned at the early age that you cannot judge the book by its cover.

Memories of You

You are still very much in my memories

In your garden of roses and orchids
The flowers flourished under your care
And repaid you with beautiful blossoms in warm air

At the corner that marks your name

We sat on the grey cement block
I took off what was left of your hair
And cut the nails of your thin fingers short

You had a peaceful smile on your face

With a calm acceptance of a dreadful fate
You did not show me your pain
Nor any doubts you might have had of your faith

We took a walk on the waterfront

I learned about your love of boating
I learned about the loneliness of a young soldier
And the devotion to his wife and daughter

I learned about your philosophy of life

A red rose though simple, it shows beauty and grace
I learned about your adoration of life
The joy friendships bring, the blessings you’ve got

It was the last season of fall we were together
I’m grateful for the chance to be with you then, forever
A few days of an almost carefree time
A road trip to San Diego, we three took

It’s been two years since you departed

The train trip that still carries me on
I’ll be back to where we once were sitting
To give her my love while we share the memories of you

Collage 28

In this collage of happy faces

I feel

Your love through hugs

Your happiness through smiles

In the Austin spring

You run and bike

You ride a stroller

You’re knighted

You read a book

You chew on fingers

You’re growing up

You fly

I wish I were there

To laugh with you

Hug you tight

To read with you

Hug you tight

To run with you

Hug you tight

To kiss you a hundred times

Each

And

Hug you tight

In April…You Went Away

You went away… not by yourself!

But along with me and the steadfast love we had;

Together with children in tow,

We clung to hopes and dreams stashed in a luggage.

          We did not quite know where to start;

          We drew and painted a pretty chart

          Where mountains and rivers warmly received us;

          Yet we didn’t forget the hard time of old.

Now when there is nothing else to do,

I take you round and round to… flowers to look at!

I loved you so much back then,

And now I surely love you no less!

Then I adored you with all my heart,

Now… my adoration has not changed with time!

          The month of April was long and dark;

          We remember the arduous time from when we marched.

Have we not been richly and fully blessed?

Yet often I hear a quiet prayer of your request:

 “Please keep his black hair from turning white,

And grant me always the beautiful color of youth.”

translated from Tháng Tư… Em Đi - Nguyễn Phú Long

chuyển ngữ từ bài Tháng Tư… Em Đi - Nguyễn Phú Long

Tháng Tư…Em Đi!

Em đi…nào có một mình!

Với anh và với cuộc tình sắt son;

Dập dìu cái cái con con;

Hành trang hy vọng để còn mai sau.

     Nhẩn nha rồi lại bắt đầu

     Bàn tay tô điểm cùng nhau vẽ vời

     Núi sông cây cỏ đón mời

     Em vui mà chẳng quên thời long đong.

Nơi đây, những lúc thong dong

Anh đưa em lượn lòng vòng…thám hoa!

Khi xưa yêu dấu thiết tha

Bây giờ đang độ mặn mà dấu yêu!

     Khi xưa thương mến bao nhiêu,

     Bây giờ…thế đó rất nhiều mến thương!

     Tháng Tư hun hút chặng đường

     Nhớ chăng dâu biển đọan trường dần xưa.

Trời ban vậy vậy đã vừa?

Âm thầm em vẫn sớm trưa nguyện cầu:

“Thiếp xin chàng chớ bạc đầu,

 Thiếp thì giữ mãi lấy mầu trẻ trung.”