Mother carrying dreams

by Phan Hoang

Carrying things on her shoulder, mother ran
squeakily and hurriedly
people falling behind
people bowing in front

My childhood was in the evacuation basket
mother carried the dreams of running through the chaotic season
baby cried
stronger than
cannon roar

The streets were mottled with black holes
blood red floating rivers and streams
the sea screamed, layers of waves breaking away from mother

Mother’s steps against the southern wind
softly glided over the undulating rocks on the mountainside
detoxified jungles struggling with Agent Orange
comforting the fields with weeds

Bare feet of bamboo roots bloodied
the wind basket lost its breath
mother put her child to sit under the burnt-out bomb hole
looked back at the ruined village and grandparents’ graves

Put the hat down to fan the bomb smell
Mom’s shadow covered the bullets’ range
cuddled a crying mother
babbled mother and daughter laughing
baby smiled
stronger than
cannon roar
a smile planted in the mother’s heart the seed of hope
peaceful village after the next season…