Poetry Corner

I have been here in a strange country;

My heart is sad — without relatives, with no happiness!

I don’t know why I’m here!

My life has been full of tears.

Three years have passed since 1975.

I have opened my eyes,

To see what will happen in my future.

I feel unlucky, just like a failure!

Who gave my country away to the communists?

So many men arrived here without their kids!

They dream every day and every night,

About the family reunion with their wives.

I love my country just the same as I do my parents,

There I can have everything I want.

My mother cooking me good food and making my clothes;

And bringing to me the family I really enjoy.

Now everything is so far away.

The new life has changed the Vietnamese every day.

They have to live without hope, medicine, clothes and food.

Do you think that communism is still good?

I wish I could return home some day,

We will enjoy freedom that we pray.

My parents will say: “Hello my good boy!”

I will then kiss my children and my wife.  

(St. Louis, Sept. 10, 1978)

Vinh Liem