Feel them in my tendons
Hear them in the quiet
See them in the wind
Smell their fragrance
A constant in my life
Like a steel manacle
Arrested and limited
I must pay the price
Sins from lives past
Karmic justice served
Grow I must or else
Be trapped hereafter
So I speak the truth
I am compassionate
Eschewing victimhood
Pleasing higher beings
Even before birth,the heart beats inside mother's womb
For the unborn,it is the whole world, the safest place to bloom.
The little inside is invisible to the world,to the mother
Yet,all the love and emotions,in the heart gather.
The bond between the two is pure love
It is as pure as the flying dove.
Even after birth,the love remains deep and pure
With time and years,it does mature.
The heart is not restricted to mother's love and care
It is,of course, open to all who love and the emotions, they share.
Like a garden with blooming flowers
My heart glows with love that showers.
For all,who believe in love and peace
Have a way,to the heart like the swarming of bees.
With a variety of love fragrance inside
The heart is where,all emotions reside...
If not you your fragrance, I’m not alone,
Thrives still the old romance, I feel not alone.
The pangs of loneliness do when pain me,
I dance our old dance and feel not alone.
Petals of old memories so fresh still,
Grievance stands no chance, I feel not alone.
Whenever I lapse unto how you left,
Time with you I advance, feel not alone.
Recall, tied you had knots of lifelong love,
To that cloth when I glance, feel not alone.
Hope, as it lives eternal in my heart--
You might return perchance, feel not alone.
Feeling you all so near and never far,
I lapse unto that trance, feel not alone.
_____________________________
Ghazal | 09.05.2026 | dance, forgiveness, fragrance, loneliness, romance
Time changes, and so do the ways,
Dispelling darkness, a new chariot blazes.
A new dawn shines with the light of hope,
Smiles on faces, hearts filled with faith to cope.
The smoke of corruption slowly fades away,
Society awakens on the path of truth each day.
With the melody of discipline, society is rebuilt,
A sense of responsibility makes hearts bloom and tilt.
Roads are formed, dreams begin to fly,
In the hands of youth, the future reaches the sky.
New thoughts emerge, new directions arise,
The nation advances with strength that never dies.
Respect for law and the people’s voice,
Become the loudest call for change and choice.
Farmers, workers, and the hopes of the new generation,
Together compose the language of development and transformation.
Can change ever come through words alone?
Work itself reveals one’s true identity known.
Now is the time to move ahead,
Now is the time to build a new age instead.
With the final smile of development’s fragrance bright,
A new song echoes on the road of progress and light.
In the changing times lives a promise anew,
For within this path rests the nation’s honor true.
By Phan Tan Hai
Forty years like a dream—
shaking off the dust of distant roads;
a faint trace still lingers,
tea-scent deep upon the lashes.
More than sixty passing years,
books read as countless as forests;
once hearing thunder split the peaks,
the mountains broke—fragrance filled the sky.
Returning, hearing the wind breathe,
sweeping through lifetimes of ignorance;
each page of Nguyen Tho’s words
stops mid-flight, as birds listen to the sutra.
Long miles walked without weariness,
the clouds of Tu Luc still drifting;
copying sutras in mist-like lines,
fragrance steeped into the slender strokes.
— March 2017. Respectfully offered to Venerable Nguyen Tho Thich Tu Luc on the fortieth anniversary of his ordination.
In the black sea of midnight
I stare at the vacant spaces.
Are there bees in your garden,
enchanting fragrance of flowers ?
jasmine, marigold, lily?
My cosmos is in gloom,
canopy of clouds in dark gaze.
No stars in my moonless room.
Your garden is frolic in radiant roses.
Turbulence of waves in my wild sea
Your words lingering in my bright sky
From far away, I think of you.
I wonder if you miss me too!
(Translated by Debjani Mitra)
soft winds gently sigh
whispering tales of new life~
sweet scent spreads to sky.
petals unfurl wide
daffodils greet the warm sun~
a gentle, soft ride.
roses bloom in air,
jasmine ascends with slow pace~
nature's tender grace.
a world reborn bright
drinking blossoms with delight~
chasing winter's sight.
faint, frail figurines
fragrance of tangerines
flit like faeries ‘cross the field
~ faith's forces fain yield
Fragrance Interrupted
Whimsical feelings
Whimsical views
With coffee early moring
Glass half full
Fragrances interrupted
Mockingbird painted blue sky fluent
You have my undivided attention
With a genuine smile
Every stepping stone is truly meaningful
Sincerely yours
With uplifting poems
Together as one
Time will never divide us
You were always understanding when I was impatient
Stay for love
and fragrant jasmine
spiced buns with dainties
lovingly showcased
in a vibrant tableau
on country lawns
amid the whispering trees
and rippling brook
diamond specked
at the radiant close
of a summer’s day
when shadow dance
must come
with chilly winds
to rock the tender buds
and enfold dear younglings
in ancient lullabies.
Mercury rises and life tingles
Across the land there's excitement
Yellows burst on the scene
Feathered friends hear the call
Longing impatiently for fragrant blossoms
Only the patient are rewarded
Windblown perfumes begin to tantalize
Evidence of summer's imminent approach
Regenerated gardens come to life
Sacred havens exuding nature's harmony
AP: 3rd place 2026
Fragrance
abide in God
follow in his footsteps
fragrance of everlasting life
diffused
extravaganza
stunning masquerade
bright festive delights
sybaritic feast
intoxicating
Silk organza
finespun chiffon
dazzling jewels
precious bijou
black tailcoat
satin stripes
white bow tie
ballroom
swirling
fete
Winter's mist curtain
Sweet fragrance of tree jasmine
Sunshine filtered in
First fires...
Smoking chimneys...
Leaf mold and pumpkin spice...
Spiced cider and hot chocolate...
S'mores, mmmmm!
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