The Secret of Hoa Sen

Presented in bilingual English and Vietnamese, these poems build bridges between two cultures inextricably bound together by war and destruction.

Contents Introduction by Bruce Weigl 1. My Mother¿s Rice 2. Eating Pho with My Grandpa 3. The Poem I Can¿t Yet Name 4. The Gardener in the Royal Citadel 5. Stars in the Shape of Carrying Poles6. The Boat Girl 7. Spring Garden 8. Pearls of My Aunt 9. The Garment Workers of Bangladesh 10. The Secret of Hoa Sen 11. Two Truths 12. Earth Home 13. Ceramic Rhythm 14. The White Time 15. With a Vietnam Veteran 16. Separated Worlds 17. April 18. Thousand Years 19. The White Sky 20. The Desire of Clouds 21. Mekong Delta 22. Hà Noi 23. Your River 24. My Father 25. My Mother 26. Speaking With My Children 27. The Sea 28. My Father¿s Home Village 29. Being Vietnamese 30. Touching the Hair of Sunrise 31. Journey of the Human Train 32. Quang Tri33. Van Anh34. The Singing Sea 35. The Green Sphere36. Steps of Time 37. Your Words 38. Night¿s Whispers 39. Your Forest 40. Babylift 41. Grass 42. Vietnam Veterans Memorial 43. Through a Narrow Lane44. Song of Garbage45. Himalaya 46. Fish Sauce and Flowers 47. Blues for My Grandma 48. Crying for Mindanao49. Fears 50. From the Deep Earth 51. The Music of Fire 52. Freeing Myself