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| Vo Thi Nhu Mai |
THE CITY OF LIGHT AND LOVE: A Poet’s
Heart Between Vietnam and Perth
(Poems by Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
.
Vo Thi Nhu Mai is a Vietnamese poet currently living and working in Perth, Western Australia. As an editor and translator, she has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese voices across the globe. Apart from her many poetry books published in Vienam and overseas, her work includes two major anthologies, The Rhythm of Vietnam and The Graceful Fold of Time, both of which compile the writings of over 250 Vietnamese authors living abroad. Each anthology sold out its 500-copy run and was launched in multiple Vietnamese provinces as well as in Perth, demonstrating the global resonance of Vietnamese diasporic literature.In her own poetry, Vo Thi Nhu Mai offers a gentle, genuine tribute to her two homes, Vietnam and Perth, through verses rich with cultural imagery, inclusive spirit, and lyrical simplicity. Her poems are as much about identity as they are about belonging; they celebrate diversity, friendship, and the harmony of everyday life. Below are four poems that beautifully reflect her voice, tender, observant, and deeply connected to place and people.
.
1/The City of Light and Love
In this poem, Perth is painted as a vibrant mosaic of cultures. From fresh Italian bread to spicy Indian curries, from Mid-Autumn lanterns to Vietnamese bánh chưng on Tết, Mai acquires the richness of multicultural life with warmth and clarity. The city becomes a shared space where traditions meet, families celebrate, and everyone belongs. The closing stanza, “This is a city of light, friendship, and love”, is both a declaration and a quiet prayer for unity.
.
THE CITY OF LIGHT AND LOVE
.
Perth shines under the warm sun
The ocean waves dance, and the breeze feels fresh
Birds sing in the bright blue sky
Fields and hills stretch far and wide
.
People from many places call Perth home
They bring their cultures, traditions, and flavours
Italians bake fresh bread with a wonderful smell
Indian families cook curries rich with spices
.
The Mid-Autumn Festival fills the streets with colour
Lanterns glow, and the Chinese lion dance excites the crowd
Vietnamese families gather to eat mooncakes
Children laugh as they carry lanterns shaped like stars
.
On Tết, Vietnamese homes fill with the scent of bánh chưng
Red envelopes bring joy, and peach blossoms bloom
Australian families enjoy meat pies at picnics
Or camp under the shade of tall gum trees
.
Families and friends gather in parks and vineyards
Sharing food, laughter, and stories
Children cheer at footy games
While seagulls circle above the bustling fish market
.
In Perth, everyone belongs
No matter where we come from
we are part of one big family
This is a city of light, friendship, and love
.
++++
2/ A Special Place
.
A SPECIAL PLACE
.
Perth is big, with a bright blue sky
The ocean is clear, and the sun feels warm
Each day is familiar, but there is always something new
New people, new things, new ways to explore
.
Our classroom is full of laughter
Friends from many different places
Some have dark hair and brown eyes
Some have light hair and blue eyes like the sky
.
Lunchtime is a chance to try something new
Pizza from Italy, sushi from Japan, bread from Turkey
Pho from Vietnam, tacos from Mexico
We share our food and learn from each other
.
Sometimes, I don’t understand everything
Some friends speak quickly, and I need time
But they wait for me
Smiling, holding my hand, and making me feel welcome
.
In Perth, I learn how to share
To help my friends and show kindness
Even though we speak different languages
We all live under the same Perth sky
.
+++++++
3/ The Adventure of Friends in Perth Garden
.
THE ADVENTURE
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
.
The kangaroo hops around
Walking through the green meadow
It passes by the koala
Sleeping peacefully under the shade of a tree
.
Little birds flutter in the sky
Their songs echo everywhere
Nearby, the soft bunny hops
Running quickly through the sweet grass
.
A playful little squirrel
Sneaks around the garden looking for seeds
Suddenly, a butterfly flies by
Its bright colours, like a beautiful painting.
Grasshoppers hop happily
Their legs bouncing all over the ground
A spider weaves its web
Waiting for the morning, as beautiful as a poem
.
The camel stands proudly
Alongside the kangaroo, climbing the hill
All the cheerful animals
Live together in a vast land
.
Let’s play with nature
To love the wonders it brings
Open your eyes wide
Because Perth Garden is always beautiful
Always full of joy
.
++++++
4/ Together From Every Flower
.
TOGETHER FROM EVERY FLOWER
.
In the green garden, we all play
Every child is safe and happy
Each hand, each smile
From many different countries, we are all friends
.
The Australian sky is warm and bright
We learn and love every day
Every language, every skin
But friendship is what makes us special
.
Together, we build a world where
Everyone can grow with pride
We care for one another and share our dreams
Like flowers growing under the sun
.
From English, Vietnamese, to Chinese
Every language is a new colour
We learn from each culture
Because we are all one big family
.
Together, we walk on a shared path
Reaching for our dreams
Protecting every child, keeping them safe
For a bright and happy future
++++
Vo Thi Nhu Mai’s poetry opens a window into a world where cultures meet without clashing, where nature and humanity thrive together, and where the heart carries both the scent of hoa mai and the breeze of the Indian Ocean. These poems are more than verses; they are bridges between homes, generations, and hearts.
.
Vo Thi Nhu Mai is a Vietnamese poet currently living and working in Perth, Western Australia. As an editor and translator, she has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese voices across the globe. Apart from her many poetry books published in Vienam and overseas, her work includes two major anthologies, The Rhythm of Vietnam and The Graceful Fold of Time, both of which compile the writings of over 250 Vietnamese authors living abroad. Each anthology sold out its 500-copy run and was launched in multiple Vietnamese provinces as well as in Perth, demonstrating the global resonance of Vietnamese diasporic literature.In her own poetry, Vo Thi Nhu Mai offers a gentle, genuine tribute to her two homes, Vietnam and Perth, through verses rich with cultural imagery, inclusive spirit, and lyrical simplicity. Her poems are as much about identity as they are about belonging; they celebrate diversity, friendship, and the harmony of everyday life. Below are four poems that beautifully reflect her voice, tender, observant, and deeply connected to place and people.
.
1/The City of Light and Love
In this poem, Perth is painted as a vibrant mosaic of cultures. From fresh Italian bread to spicy Indian curries, from Mid-Autumn lanterns to Vietnamese bánh chưng on Tết, Mai acquires the richness of multicultural life with warmth and clarity. The city becomes a shared space where traditions meet, families celebrate, and everyone belongs. The closing stanza, “This is a city of light, friendship, and love”, is both a declaration and a quiet prayer for unity.
.
THE CITY OF LIGHT AND LOVE
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
.Perth shines under the warm sun
The ocean waves dance, and the breeze feels fresh
Birds sing in the bright blue sky
Fields and hills stretch far and wide
.
People from many places call Perth home
They bring their cultures, traditions, and flavours
Italians bake fresh bread with a wonderful smell
Indian families cook curries rich with spices
.
The Mid-Autumn Festival fills the streets with colour
Lanterns glow, and the Chinese lion dance excites the crowd
Vietnamese families gather to eat mooncakes
Children laugh as they carry lanterns shaped like stars
.
On Tết, Vietnamese homes fill with the scent of bánh chưng
Red envelopes bring joy, and peach blossoms bloom
Australian families enjoy meat pies at picnics
Or camp under the shade of tall gum trees
.
Families and friends gather in parks and vineyards
Sharing food, laughter, and stories
Children cheer at footy games
While seagulls circle above the bustling fish market
.
In Perth, everyone belongs
No matter where we come from
we are part of one big family
This is a city of light, friendship, and love
.
++++
2/ A Special Place
.
A SPECIAL PLACE
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
.Perth is big, with a bright blue sky
The ocean is clear, and the sun feels warm
Each day is familiar, but there is always something new
New people, new things, new ways to explore
.
Our classroom is full of laughter
Friends from many different places
Some have dark hair and brown eyes
Some have light hair and blue eyes like the sky
.
Lunchtime is a chance to try something new
Pizza from Italy, sushi from Japan, bread from Turkey
Pho from Vietnam, tacos from Mexico
We share our food and learn from each other
.
Sometimes, I don’t understand everything
Some friends speak quickly, and I need time
But they wait for me
Smiling, holding my hand, and making me feel welcome
.
In Perth, I learn how to share
To help my friends and show kindness
Even though we speak different languages
We all live under the same Perth sky
.
+++++++
3/ The Adventure of Friends in Perth Garden
.
THE ADVENTURE
OF FRIENDS IN PERTH GARDEN
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai).
The kangaroo hops around
Walking through the green meadow
It passes by the koala
Sleeping peacefully under the shade of a tree
.
Little birds flutter in the sky
Their songs echo everywhere
Nearby, the soft bunny hops
Running quickly through the sweet grass
.
A playful little squirrel
Sneaks around the garden looking for seeds
Suddenly, a butterfly flies by
Its bright colours, like a beautiful painting.
Their legs bouncing all over the ground
A spider weaves its web
Waiting for the morning, as beautiful as a poem
.
The camel stands proudly
Alongside the kangaroo, climbing the hill
All the cheerful animals
Live together in a vast land
.
Let’s play with nature
To love the wonders it brings
Open your eyes wide
Because Perth Garden is always beautiful
Always full of joy
.
++++++
4/ Together From Every Flower
.
TOGETHER FROM EVERY FLOWER
(Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
.In the green garden, we all play
Every child is safe and happy
Each hand, each smile
From many different countries, we are all friends
.
The Australian sky is warm and bright
We learn and love every day
Every language, every skin
But friendship is what makes us special
.
Together, we build a world where
Everyone can grow with pride
We care for one another and share our dreams
Like flowers growing under the sun
.
From English, Vietnamese, to Chinese
Every language is a new colour
We learn from each culture
Because we are all one big family
.
Together, we walk on a shared path
Reaching for our dreams
Protecting every child, keeping them safe
For a bright and happy future
++++
Vo Thi Nhu Mai’s poetry opens a window into a world where cultures meet without clashing, where nature and humanity thrive together, and where the heart carries both the scent of hoa mai and the breeze of the Indian Ocean. These poems are more than verses; they are bridges between homes, generations, and hearts.
