VO THI NHU MAI – A QUIET FLAME AMONG FELLOW ARTISTS

At the recent literary gathering, Vo Thi Nhu Mai made her debut appearance, not with loud declarations, but with a quiet presence that left a warm impression. As a first-time participant, she spent much of the time observing and absorbing the atmosphere around her. Though she spoke little, her attentiveness and gentle smile spoke volumes.

During the program, while others were caught in the bustle of performances and interactions, Võ Thị Như Mai moved gracefully between people, offering small yet thoughtful gestures. One such act stood out: she personally handed each participant a small card with their name written on it, a simple but touching effort to acknowledge and welcome everyone. It was a beautiful moment of connection, reminding us that care and presence can sometimes be more powerful than words.

Her demeanour was soft-spoken, but her actions carried sincerity. Many noted her warm energy, quietly friendly, respectful, and keen to understand the nuances of the gathering. In a space often vibrant with creative voices, Vo Thi Nhu Mai’s quiet kindness was like a calm note in a symphony, and her presence undoubtedly enriched the experience for all who were there.

The literary festival itself was a rich and colourful celebration of poetic voices from around the world. Held in a welcoming space filled with music, laughter, and multilingual readings, it brought together poets, translators, musicians, and friends of literature to share work, ideas, and cross-cultural conversations. Each segment of the program was crafted with care, blending each cultural literature with international voices, allowing a beautiful dialogue of language and soul.

Vo Thi Nhu Mai, though initially quiet, contributed meaningfully to this shared space. She took to the microphone and read her original poem “The Song of Life” in both Vietnamese and English, offering the audience a sincere glimpse into her poetic world. Her delivery was gentle yet confident, her words soaring with listeners across language boundaries. It was a moment of quiet power, her voice steady, her poem luminous.

In another generous act of cultural exchange, Võ Thị Như Mai also read a poem titled “Enjoy” by Greek poet Eva Lianou Petropoulou, further knitting the threads of international friendship. Her choice to present not only her own work but also honour another poet reflected the very spirit of the gathering: connection through words, across cultures, in mutual respect. For a first-time participant, Võ Thị Như Mai left a lasting impression, not just with her poems, but with her grace.

Poem: THE SONG OF LIFE

Poet: Vo Thi Nhu Mai

From: Western Australia

 .

If we knew spring would never return

To strum its notes along our wandering path

If we knew the journey would drift afar

If eternity called with a sudden breath

 .

If we knew beauty could never be touched

Nor seen through deep brown eyes

If we knew those blue clouds in the heights

Were but a rain falling down with passion

 .

If we knew life would bring grace and blessing

Or a simple lesson in a night of getting lost

If we knew our hearts could be fragile

If we knew sorrow could sing a tender lullaby

 .

If we knew foamy waves carrying silent love

If we knew sunlight shining on brief blooms

If we knew presence is just a passing moment

The moment a rosebud resting upon our lips

 .

If we knew the song of life itself

Could be a pain that healing never finds 

If we knew joy in every word we write

An afternoon translates a lifetime into poetry

 .

Copyright @ Vo Thi Nhu Mai

Poem: “Enjoy!”

Poet: Eva PETROPOULOU Lianou

From: Greece

As a child

I discover the city lights

Buildings without trees

Water without fishes

The magic city I born

Was a fake town

No masters

No angels

As a child

I sing a lullaby

Every second

My life become a miracle

Hope to get a rainbow

Wait to travel with a unicorn

As Theseus make the world around

For a love

For a word that nobody understand

Filotimo

Copyright @ Eva PETROPOULOU Lianou.