A MAN WHO WHITTLES DOWN A BIT OF WOOD INTO A PLOUGH

         NGUYEN ANH NONG


My friend –
who is known for a hard working worker,
whittles down a bit of wood into a plough
He saves up every single letter of a word –
and sprinkles them all over the ground.
He doesn't care to remember if it's the dawn or the sunset
in the world!  

*
He keeps on whittling
A sad piece -
A happy one -
A forgotten one -
A remembered one -
A piece of clouds -
A piece of winds -
It seems to cut into the guts, cut into the soul.

*
He spreads his arms to break the obstacles,
angrily swallows his anger
he tries to make the rolling, bumpy life be bright, shining and smooth
he tries to plate the deep black world with nickel
he burns the time with his detailed work: an ant pulls some food, a sandcrab collects some sand, a peacock dances in the wild place?

*
This afternoon, after so much hurt and so much restless
A toothpick tilts its head, looks at me and smiles
It's just been freed by my friend.


Năm dịch: 2008