Anh-Thu Ngo 

Secaucus, NJ, USA

Anh-Thu Ngo is a young poet who has only recently started to write poetry. She has entered her work in many contests and competitions, and has received numerous prizes for her efforts. Her poems have been published in many school publications and two anthologies, including The National Library of Poetry's "Tranquil Rains of Summer" and the 1998 Edition of "Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans." Besides writing, Anh-Thu likes to read, shop, and enjoy her teenage life. To Anh-Thu, writing poetry is a comforting way to express her feelings. She hopes to continue writing and composing poetry throughout her life.

Midsummer Night

In the meadow, bullfrogs
croak
a discordant tune
while lively crickets chirp
their harmonious melody
A soft breeze
pushes the tall reed stalks to and fro
in the boggy water
A celestial body emits a glowing radiance
upon the delicate earthen ground

On the wooden verandah, Grandpa's rocking chair creaks continuously
A mild snore floats from a sleeping body
It rests on a swaying hammock,
slung between two peach trees
The hum of women's voices drifts gently away
Girls hush as a startling secret is revealed
in a traditional game of "Truth or Dare"
Little boys roll about in the wet grass
and their laughter echoes in the distance

The drone of an electric fan is stifled
by the serene activities 
of country men
The chinks of cool beer mugs ring through the air
as murmurs of "cheers" are carried away by the soft winds
A suffocating waft of smoke rises
from the addict's parched lips
V-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r
The whir of shuffling cards 
ends
as the hand is dealt
and another uneventful round begins

Far away, old cars crawl steadily
along the wide road,
occasionally beeping their horns
to waken other sluggish drivers
and stir life
back into an all-too-quiet town

It is a peaceful midsummer night in the South.