Egotism I have no pen to compose a poem I have no paper to draw humanity I have no conscience to judge I have no eye to see anything I have no heart to feel other’s feelings I have no mouth to protest I have no hand to hold I have no leg to walk I have no brain to think I have no risk to die Because I am a dead body! My soul is not with me I have no power to stop war. I have only egotism.
Together happiness is to cross the battle of the storm.
Marriage means long tour,
Love, respect, burdens, “to rely on mutual respect,
In the wonderful glory of each other in two lives ”,
Happy results are happy in the last day.
Short biography:Amb. Dr.Priyanka Neogi from Coochbehar. She is an administrative Controler of United Nations PAF,librarian,CEO of Lio Messi International Property & land Consultanncy, international literacy worker, sports & peace promoter, dancer, singer, reciter, live telecaster, writer, editor, researcher, Literary journalist, host, beauty queen, international Co-ordinator of Vijay Mission of Community Welfare Foundation of India.
THE CITY OF LIGHT AND LOVE: A Poet’s Heart Between Vietnam and Perth (Poems by Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
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Vo Thi Nhu Mai is a Vietnamese poet currently living and working in Perth, Western Australia. As an editor and translator, she has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese voices across the globe. Apart from her many poetry books published in Vietnam and overseas, her work includes two major anthologies, The Rhythm of Vietnam and The Graceful Fold of Time, both of which compile the writings of over 250 Vietnamese authors living abroad. Each anthology sold out its 500-copy run and was launched in multiple Vietnamese provinces as well as in Perth, demonstrating the global resonance of Vietnamese diasporic literature. In her own poetry, Vo Thi Nhu Mai offers a gentle, genuine tribute to her two homes, Vietnam and Perth, through verses rich with cultural imagery, inclusive spirit, and lyrical simplicity. Her poems are as much about identity as they are about belonging; they celebrate diversity, friendship, and the harmony of everyday life. Below are four poems that beautifully reflect her voice, tender, observant, and deeply connected to place and people.
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1/The City of Light and Love
In this poem, Perth is painted as a vibrant mosaic of cultures. From fresh Italian bread to spicy Indian curries, from Mid-Autumn lanterns to Vietnamese bánh chưng on Tết, Mai acquires the richness of multicultural life with warmth and clarity. The city becomes a shared space where traditions meet, families celebrate, and everyone belongs. The closing stanza, “This is a city of light, friendship, and love”, is both a declaration and a quiet prayer for unity.
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THE CITY OF LIGHT AND LOVE (Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
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Perth shines under the warm sun The ocean waves dance, and the breeze feels fresh Birds sing in the bright blue sky Fields and hills stretch far and wide
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People from many places call Perth home They bring their cultures, traditions, and flavours Italians bake fresh bread with a wonderful smell Indian families cook curries rich with spices
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The Mid-Autumn Festival fills the streets with colour Lanterns glow, and the Chinese lion dance excites the crowd Vietnamese families gather to eat mooncakes Children laugh as they carry lanterns shaped like stars
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On Tết, Vietnamese homes fill with the scent of bánh chưng Red envelopes bring joy, and peach blossoms bloom Australian families enjoy meat pies at picnics Or camp under the shade of tall gum trees
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Families and friends gather in parks and vineyards Sharing food, laughter, and stories Children cheer at footy games While seagulls circle above the bustling fish market
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In Perth, everyone belongs No matter where we come from we are part of one big family This is a city of light, friendship, and love
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2/A Special Place
Here, the poet walks us through a school day in Perth through a child’s eyes. We see cultural differences not as barriers but as opportunities, for tasting new foods, making new friends, and learning kindness across languages. The simplicity of the language mirrors the purity of a child’s world, one where acceptance comes naturally, and joy is found in everyday moments.
. A SPECIAL PLACE (Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
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Perth is big, with a bright blue sky The ocean is clear, and the sun feels warm Each day is familiar, but there is always something new New people, new things, new ways to explore
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Our classroom is full of laughter Friends from many different places Some have dark hair and brown eyes Some have light hair and blue eyes like the sky
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Lunchtime is a chance to try something new Pizza from Italy, sushi from Japan, bread from Turkey Pho from Vietnam, tacos from Mexico We share our food and learn from each other
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Sometimes, I don’t understand everything Some friends speak quickly, and I need time But they wait for me Smiling, holding my hand, and making me feel welcome
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In Perth, I learn how to share To help my friends and show kindness Even though we speak different languages We all live under the same Perth sky
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3/The Adventure of Friends in Perth Garden
Nature takes centre stage in this joyful, imaginative piece. The animals of Perth, kangaroos, koalas, bunnies, even a playful squirrel, coexist in harmony, symbolizing the balance between humans and nature. Through this gentle narrative, Vo Thi Nhu Mai invites children and readers of all ages to fall in love with their surroundings and embrace the wonder in simple things.
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THE ADVENTURE OF FRIENDS IN PERTH GARDEN (Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
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The kangaroo hops around Walking through the green meadow It passes by the koala Sleeping peacefully under the shade of a tree
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Little birds flutter in the sky Their songs echo everywhere Nearby, the soft bunny hops Running quickly through the sweet grass
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A playful little squirrel Sneaks around the garden looking for seeds Suddenly, a butterfly flies by Its bright colours, like a beautiful painting.
Grasshoppers hop happily Their legs bouncing all over the ground A spider weaves its web Waiting for the morning, as beautiful as a poem
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The camel stands proudly Alongside the kangaroo, climbing the hill All the cheerful animals Live together in a vast land
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Let’s play with nature To love the wonders it brings Open your eyes wide Because Perth Garden is always beautiful Always full of joy
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4/ Together From Every Flower
This final poem reads like a love letter to inclusivity. Through the metaphor of a garden where every flower blooms differently, the poet speaks to the strength found in diversity. Children from different backgrounds come together to build a better future, a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion, unity, and shared dreams.
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TOGETHER FROM EVERY FLOWER (Vo Thi Nhu Mai)
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In the green garden, we all play Every child is safe and happy Each hand, each smile From many different countries, we are all friends
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The Australian sky is warm and bright We learn and love every day Every language, every skin But friendship is what makes us special
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Together, we build a world where Everyone can grow with pride We care for one another and share our dreams Like flowers growing under the sun
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From English, Vietnamese, to Chinese Every language is a new colour We learn from each culture Because we are all one big family
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Together, we walk on a shared path Reaching for our dreams Protecting every child, keeping them safe For a bright and happy future
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Vo Thi Nhu Mai’s poetry opens a window into a world where cultures meet without clashing, where nature and humanity thrive together, and where the heart carries both the scent of hoa mai and the breeze of the Indian Ocean. These poems are more than verses; they are bridges between homes, generations, and hearts.
Come un aquilone che vola alto, legato con uno spago
Questo era un modo per essere sani, ricchi e saggi
Le persone vanno a dormire presto per viaggiare a lungo e si alzano presto
Nei tempi antichi, la conoscenza non era libresca
Il saggio viaggia giorno e notte, a differenza di un pigro
Ibn Battuta, Vasco D’Gama e il famoso Gulliver
Tutti erano fonti di conoscenza, tutti erano viaggiatori
Viaggiare in treno è sempre stato affascinante per me
Mi piace osservare fiumi, colline e pianure che si muovono
Viaggiare con tutti i membri della famiglia è una benedizione
Andare in vacanza d’estate e tornare durante i monsoni
Viaggiare ci insegna a prenderci cura gli uni degli altri
Sviluppa lo spirito di squadra, il senso dell’amore e della cura
La vita è anche un lungo viaggio pieno di gioia e dolore
Fallo ora, se vuoi; chi ha visto il domani?
Originally composed English:
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TRAVELLING FOR KNOWLEDGE
When we travel far, we observe lots of thing
Like a highflying kite, which is tied with string
This was a way to be healthy, wealthy and wise
People sleep early to travel long, and early rise
In ancient times the knowledge was not bookish
Wise man travels day and night, unlike a sluggish
Ibn Battuta, Vasco D Gama and famous Gulliver
All were sources of knowledge, all were traveler
Travelling has been fascinating to me by trains
I enjoy watching moving rivers, hills and plains
Travelling with all family members is like a boon
Go in summer vacation and return in monsoon
Travelling teaches us to take care of each other
It develops team spirits, sense of love and care
Life is also a long journey full of joy and sorrow
Do it now, if you wish; who has seen tomorrow
Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar
Editor, NCERT, New Delhi, INDIA
The esteemed and Hon’ble global poetess Maria Miraglia translates from English to Italian language the poem of Dr. Perwaiz Shaharyar.
She is the Literary Director of the Pablo Neruda Cultural Association and Founder of the World Foundation for Peace. She is an intellectual, high-caliber academician and highly meritorious translator by her passion for literature and culture. She is a multilingual translator especially for poetry, which has been her all time favourite.
