POETRY

SOFTNESS
—POEM by Võ Thị Như Mai
(Translated from Vietnamese)

You are forever only for me,

Counting time through thousands of fresh apricot bubs,

You have absolutely no regret,

No station to stop as good as me.

What is the colour of love at dusk,

Rows of trees waiting at lonely sidewalk,

A time of dating, a joyful song to celebrate new age,

Memory of a leaning season swirling in the horizon.

Leaving behind dreams of a town,

You are back walking on the green steppe,

Leaving behind lingered sufferings,

You are back admiring and comforting the afternoon.

Leaning on each other the rest of our life,

You place a kiss on my eyelashes,

Listening to the babbling of a fresh stream,

We embrace our journey passionately,

Feeling the royal scent of autumn end,

The river is breathing, the wind chimes are enchanting.

You are carefully shaping each poetry page,

Writing for me, only for me, that’s right,

Hugging from behind, whispering in softness,

Your very own world is my hair,

Scented with lemon spreading in the air.

….

(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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