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Ho Xuan Huong (1772-1882) was a risqué Vietnamese poetess. She has been called the BEST Vietnamese poet, a proto-feminist, and "the candid voice of a liberal female in a male-dominated society." 

?c Nh?i  ("The Snail")
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

My parents produced a snail,
Night and day it slithers through slimy grass.
If you love me, remove my shell,
But please don't jiggle my little hole!

*

The Breadfruit or Jackfruit
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

My body's like a breadfruit ripening on a tree:
My skin coarse, my pulp thick.
My lord, if you want me, pierce me with your stick,
But please don't squeeze or the sap will sully your fingers!

*

Bánh trôi nu?c ("Floating Sweet Dumpling")
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

My powdered body is white and round.
Now I bob. Now I sink.
The hand that kneads me may be rough,
But my heart at the center remains untouched.

*

Ode to a Paper Fan
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

One ring receptive enough for any rod,
Coyly alluring since ancient times…
Your employment is to cool down sweating heroes,
To cover gentlemen’s heads whenever it rains.
Behind the bed-curtain, let’s tenderly ask him:
Panting like a dog in heat, are you satisfied?

*

Screw You!
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

Screw the rule that makes you share a man!
You slave like maids but without pay.

*

Unplanned Pregnancy
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

My yielding resulted in this chaos;
Who can understand my anguish? …
However, this love-load I’ll soon be lugging,
Despite the world’s condemnation
(To have child, without a husband)
Is a an exceptional feat!

*

Questions for the Moon
by Ho Xuan Huong
translation by Michael R. Burch

How many eons have you been there,
Endlessly transposing from slender to pregnant? …
Why do you orbit, aloof, the loneliness of night,
yet blush — so pale! — when seen by the sun?
Awake, long past midnight, whom do you seek?
Why so enchanted with hills, rivers and dales?

Keywords/Tags: Ho Xuan Huong, Vietnamese poetess, English translations, women, Da Nang, snail, grass, shell, hole, breadfruit, jackfruit, fruit, fruits, tree, trees, skin, hands, sap, stain, dumpling, body, powder, powdered, sink, bob, swim, pond, heart, center, red, nom script, spring fragrance, spring essence, animal, animals, nature
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