“A sunny afternoon” - a collection of poems filled with warm human feelings

“A sunny afternoon”(Literature Publishing House - 2024) is a lovely collection of poems by author Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, newly released, including 52 poems in many different genres.

The title of the collection of poems evokes in the reader a sense of peace but also full of emotion. “Yellow sunshine” is a familiar image, symbolizing light and warmth. However, “sunny noon” is a time that evokes stillness, sometimes silence, where everything seems to stand still in a peaceful space. The golden sunshine of noon is not too bright or harsh, but tends to be gentle, as if shining into the hidden corners of the soul.

Through this title, author Viet Nga wants to lead readers into a quiet space to contemplate past memories and emotions.

A sunny noon is not only a natural image but also a symbol, expressing moments of life; memories of the past, tears of emotion when remembering a deceased mother, distant relationships or emotions that quietly creep into people's hearts.

The image of “yellow sunshine” in the collection of poems can also be understood as the return of memories - where the gentle light of noon soothes the waves of the heart, helping people face pain and sorrow, but still has a bit of warmth and hope. It is the light that shines on the hidden corners of the soul, where old memories revive and forgotten emotions suddenly become clearer.

Thus, the title"A sunny afternoon"not only evokes space and time, but also symbolizes quiet, thoughtful moments, where each person can find themselves, with the most genuine emotions.

Poetry collection"A sunny afternoon"has brought lyrical verses with deep feelings and overflowing emotions. Viet Nga's poetry is a harmonious combination of a subtle view of life and the sensitivity of a soul that loves literature and art.

In the poem"To the old summer", we encounter nostalgia for the past. Childhood memories of “smudged ink”, “paper wrapping feelings” appear simple but also full of emotion. The image of “a hand wanting to hold on… pretending to let go” is a delicate detail, expressing a feeling of nostalgia mixed with hesitation, not daring to face reality. Viet Nga takes readers into the world of memories, where stories that seem far away but are vividly present through each verse.

Come to the article"For you",The author brings a warm space of maternal love. Read the poems“Sometimes mother becomes indebted/ Teaching her children to be good”, we feel the mother's concern about the storms that her child will have to face in life. Advice“Just love and believe, even though you know/ Sometimes it hurts so much you feel numb”Not only is it a message for children but also the author's own philosophy of life.

In the article"Drinking tea with autumn", Viet Nga paints a gentle and profound picture of autumn. Familiar images of autumn such as "the scent of young rice", "the sound of cooing birds", "the yellow plum" create a quiet, peaceful space. But at the same time, the poem also contains thoughts about time and life. Question"Who sits on a high throne/ Is it better than the one standing in the middle of the sky empty-handed?"as a reminder of impermanence, of the true value of life that every person needs to contemplate.

"Go to the temple"and"Mom"are 2 of 7 emotional poems about motherly love and the painful loss when a mother passes away."Go to the temple", the author expresses his longing for his mother in the sacred setting of a temple, where incense smoke and the sound of temple bells evoke memories of his deceased mother. The verse"Mom, where are the white clouds drifting?"is the longing of a child who always longs for the presence of his mother."Mom", the author also depicts more deeply the loss, when the mother has gone forever. The poem“A white mourning band… So an orphan!!!”is the painful, sorrowful cry of a child when he realizes he has lost the greatest source of love in his life.

Poetry collection"A sunny afternoon"Nguyen Thi Viet Nga's poems are not only about life, love, and motherly love, but also deep thoughts about time, the value of life, and about loss and trust in life.

She is not only a poet, but also a woman who has experienced many emotions in life, so that each verse of poetry is imbued with deep and subtle experiences. Her poetry is like a warm ray of sunshine, like a cool stream, flowing through people's hearts, leaving gentle but profound emotions. When reading and contemplating, the reader seems to encounter somewhere a piece of their soul.