Why, living in this world,
do people have to love each other,
call each other's names in pain,
call each other's names in longing?
Why do men take wives
and then have children?
Why, on this round earth,
are there still lonely people?
Why are some people petty,
and some careless of what they lose?
Why is this tiny city
so full of strangers?
Why do some want to walk slowly
and others want to hurry?
If some are always sincere,
why are some false?
Why is there light and dark?
Why is there day and night?
Why do I love you
and you don't even notice?
Tan, 21 February 2022
First published in Vietnamese on Phong is writing. English translation for this site.
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