COUNTRYSIDE EYES!

In the thin smoke of the January kitchen,

The riverbank, eyes narrow, boats ferrying across.

The fields, narrow and cramped in the harvest season,

Shoulders heavy with burdens, green rice plants abound!

The embankment crowded with pathways,

Thin, silvery clothes, being washed along the riverbank.

The golden paddy fields, rice baskets on the shoulders,

Stretching out with flowers, grass, duckweeds swaying.

The village market echoing with inviting calls,

Thin, long lines of stalls, scattered by the temple gate.

Whose drum resounds with a gust of wind?

The rowing rhythm gently guiding, recalling nights long ago!

The delicate wings of swallows gently swaying,

The village garden still bustling with sparrows racing for food.

Outside, the smell of pickled onions and garlic,

Fermented before Tet, mother preparing for everyone!

The village festival, days wide and months long,

My sister, adorned with flowers in her hair.

Oh, how I still remember those days,

Abandoned straw nests, filled with sweet potatoes!

From which direction does one await eagerly?

Country eyes, delicate and thin, still waiting for spring.

The smoke from the bamboo kitchen fades into the distance,

But the corner of the eye stings, composing this spring poem!

In the lyrical verses above, we are transported to the heart of the countryside, where the essence of rural life unfolds in vivid detail. Through the lens of poetic imagery, the poet captures the sights, sounds, and sensations of a typical day in the village, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for the simplicity of rural existence.

The scene opens with the thin wisps of smoke rising from kitchen hearths, a common sight in the crisp air of January. This humble beginning sets the stage for a journey through the landscape of rural Vietnam, where life unfolds at a gentle pace, dictated by the rhythms of nature and the cycles of the seasons.

Next, our attention is drawn to the riverbank, where narrow boats ferry passengers across the water, connecting communities and livelihoods. The imagery here is poignant, painting a picture of simplicity and continuity in the face of modernity's advances.

As we move further into the countryside, we encounter the fields, alive with the hustle and bustle of the harvest season. Here, farmers toil under the weight of their burdens, their shoulders heavy with the promise of a bountiful yield. The fields themselves seem to stretch endlessly, a sea of green punctuated by the golden hues of ripe rice plants.

But it is not just the fields that come alive in the poet's words. The embankments, pathways, and riverbanks teem with activity, each detail meticulously rendered to evoke the vibrancy of rural life. We can almost hear the echo of market calls, the clatter of stallholders, and the rhythmic beat of a distant drum.

Yet amidst the hustle and bustle, there is a sense of timelessness, a feeling that life in the countryside follows its own natural rhythm. This is captured beautifully in the image of swallows gently swaying on the breeze, and in the timeless rituals of village festivals and gatherings.

Through it all, there is a palpable sense of longing for home, for the familiarity of childhood memories and the warmth of family. The poet's words paint a poignant picture of nostalgia, reminding us of the timeless beauty and enduring spirit of rural Vietnam.

In sum, these verses serve as a lyrical ode to the countryside, a celebration of its beauty, resilience, and enduring charm. Through the poet's evocative imagery and heartfelt sentiment, we are invited to take a journey back in time, to a place where simplicity reigns and the bonds of community run deep.