I call

your name, oh snow flower,

Watching white petals fly,

Cold in the December frost.

On the old road,

seeking sunlight amidst the day,

And seeing

the white snow flower's fading hue.

Snow falls, covering the streets,

Sad birds cease their songs at dawn,

Beaks tucked, silent breath in stillness,

Amidst the cold, empty winter sky.

Snow falls... snow falls...

The vast expanse of white snow,

each step becomes hesitant,

Amidst a myriad of snow flowers,

Pause... just pause...

Lips turn purple,

and hands too cold...

and my feet have become weary...

Come back now,

to the warmth beneath the porch.

Gazing at the falling snow,

blanketing the white flower's hue...

by Quỳnh Hương   

English translation by Vuong Thanh, 12.2023