POETRY

The Song of Life
—POEM by Võ Thị Như Mai
(Translated from Vietnamese)

If we knew spring would never return,

To strum its notes along our wandering path,

If we knew the journey would drift afar,

If eternity called with a sudden breath.

If we knew beauty could never be touched,

Nor seen through deep brown eyes,

If we knew those blue clouds in the heights,

Were but a rain falling down with passion.

If we knew life would bring grace and blessing,

Or a simple lesson in a night of getting lost,

If we knew our hearts could be fragile,

If we knew sorrow could sing a tender lullaby.

If we knew foamy waves carrying silent love,

If we knew sunlight shining on brief blooms,

If we knew presence is just a passing moment,

The moment a rosebud resting upon our lips.

If we knew the song of life itself,

Could be a pain that healing never finds,

If we knew joy in every word we write,

An afternoon translates a lifetime into poetry.

….

(Self-translation from VIETNAMESE)

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Võ Thị Như Mai

Võ Thị Như Mai — A Cultural Bridge for Vietnamese Language and Heritage in Australia — with a deep passion for the Vietnamese language and culture, is not only a dedicated educator but also a vital cultural ambassador helping to preserve and promote Vietnamese heritage in Australia. Based in Western Australia, she teaches in a local government school for more than 20 years while actively translating and publishing significant works that bring Vietnamese literature closer to an international readership.

For over two decades, Võ Thị Như Mai has inspired generations of young Vietnamese-Australians with her commitment to language education and cultural identity. Her contributions were recently recognized by the Vietnamese Consulate in Australia, which awarded her a certificate of excellence for her outstanding efforts in preserving and promoting Vietnamese language and culture.

Beyond her achievements in teaching and translation, Võ Thị Như Mai is also a passionate writer. Her creative works reflect genuine emotions and serve as a bridge between two cultures. Her poetry and prose offer sensitive insights into Vietnamese life and identity, connecting with readers across cultural borders.

Võ Thị Như Mai is also the founder and editor of The Rhythm of Vietnam (https://vietnampoetry.wordpress.com/), a bilingual website that has been running for over 15 years. Through this platform, she not only shares her own writings but also promotes the voices of other Vietnamese and Vietnamese-Australian writers, creating meaningful connections across communities. Her tireless work makes her a guiding force in sustaining the rhythm of Vietnamese language and culture abroad.

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