The North Vietnam Tour

Drawn to Halong Bay by its fame,

I flew to it with friends.

Cool mild weather greeted me

as our junk entered into its quiet sea.

Though the water traffic was brisk,

it did not upset the tranquil atmosphere.

Nearly three thousand islands dotted the horizon,

some hidden in the mist looked more alluring

than the other fairy-like islands.

Halong Bay is natural, beautiful and endearing;

it radiates a spiritual presence to a sensitive soul.

To Ninh Binh, another scenic watery spot, we ventured.

A boat trip along the Boi River had broken my phobia for water.

I began to enjoy rowing through shallow water and dark caves,

also enjoyed seeing water - lilies and duckweeds creeping in

from the water edges.

I took the oar and rowed untutored with pleasure.

At last at ease with nature.

5 December 2009

— flowing reed, Feb 17, 2010

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: SGP

Critiques

Seren

16 years 3 months ago

Dear Flowing Reed

Thank you for the trip through Vietnam .... I thought when you mentioned tour it was a military write about the war ... but was surprised and will look for more from you pen ... kind regards Jayne-Chloe

flowing reed

16 years 3 months ago

description of a beautiful place

Dear Jayne, your comments have made me realise how the words can evoke all kinds of interpretations. Thanks. Anyway my poem is purely a description of the Halong Bay. Being a poet, I would capture those beautiful feelings during the trip in paper. Your attention is appreciated. Regards. Opme.

the_fool

16 years 3 months ago

sounds like a tour guide

were you on the 'viet-nam love-boat' ride? you sound so far away, seeing three thousand islands. what specifically broke yur phobia? what is a better descrption than a 'scenic watery spot'? cool vacation, work on it.

flowing reed

16 years 3 months ago

Do I sound like a tour

Do I sound like a tour guide? Well, I have to reflect more on this. Do you have such high taste? Let me read some of your poems.

Kailashana

16 years 3 months ago

I enjoy all types of poetry,

I enjoy all types of poetry, for me this worked because the sense of peace in a place that held/holds so much blood is evoked...to return to the tranquility of nature after the scars of war (be they metaphors or reality) is indeed high art, imo. It's also the meditation of life. Thank you. ~A

flowing reed

16 years 3 months ago

perception

I am glad Ana that you can feel and see the ways I do. I love nature especially fiords and to view them in the mist is so beautiful and the sense of mystery that accompanies it is beyond words. So when that kind of feelings emerged during the Halong Bay trip, I quickly put them in paper. Thanks and my best regards to you. Opme.