darling, do you see now?
our whole life right ahead
let me show you around
all that I hold dearest
the sill where it drizzled
now soaks in golden light
the sky once lackluster
today bursts open bright
from flowers: a medley
with the wind’s gentle hum
all the love kept neatly
in this place we call home
memories overflow
in drawers and in pages
with wonder I have told
poems for the ages
and this is me, your me
never thought myself fair
this little life of me
makes not much glow to flare
fumbling over the food
clumsy with knife and peel
I save my few sweet words
for verses meant for you
my nose, so big and flat
my hair a tangled mess
my body soft with fat
lipstick, a hurried smudge
I think – but dare not ask
darling, do you see me?
or please just don’t, perhaps
let me dream peacefully
for whether dark or dawn
my world’s forever full
my days keep living on
because you, because you
I hear the rain keep time
to the rhythms of your words
in your hair, sunlight warms
the day stretches its chords
the air thick with coffee
and flowers in season
how could I grow old, see
in days full of passion?
my hands would still find yours
guide you across the floor
count the tiles as we move
the home grows ever more
and our hearts wider still
for you to come and rest
so you will hear it fill
with all that I love best
I love your honeyed words
your careful little feet
love your meals of comfort
your hands, gentle and sweet
your back and your shoulders
your eyes, your lips, your skin
even all the wrinkles
I love your every inch
to see you beside me
a dream that’s always true
forever you will be
the fairest that I knew
Hà Nội (and everywhere), 2-3/2026
–
original Vietnamese version here