my first venture into some form of creative writing (inspired by writer / poet, Ocean Vuong.oceanvuong.com/)
to mẹ,
[ nguyen thi my trang ] your name - like a mantra
i have committed to memory writing it becomes
a duty that i have taken on to make sure you remain
& take up space / as if fill out ___ in your stead.
the name you gave yourself, [ 美珍 ]
elatedly - you announce yourself to me,
”now people will no longer struggle
with my name",”
'“yes mom, you are a beautiful pearl.”
*my đen is the childhood nickname of nguyen thi my trang
( for your birthday which fell on 22 August 2023 )