Seems Like the Rain’s Crying...

Vuong Thanh’s translation of “Dường Như Mưa Khóc” by Quỳnh Hương

A white flower branch

In a moonless night

There’s only a breeze so slight

imbued with delicate scent of flower.

Flower blooms on Mother’s day

just this one night. 

My heart touched by its delicate beauty

as I inhale its fragrance deeply. 

Flower in the shadow of the night

Who would go to seek its gentle delight

Flower lies so quietly

by the terrace’s side.

There’s only me and Flower.

I hold it with Love

Its heart exudes heavenly fragrance

for just a single night.

It’s not dawn yet.

Night fog’s still dissolving. 

But the flower’s soul is departing,

with the wind and mountain clouds.

It’s now raining outside.

Seems like the rain’s crying

in farewell to the flower

as it sleeps till ever. 

05.2023

Quỳnh Hương