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Renate Nguyen’s Artist Blog

25 Jun

If you read my Vocal Space blog and have had a look around this site, you’ll probably know that I am a Singer & Songwriter as well as a passionate blogger. This Vocal Space blog focuses on Indigenous Music and Arts of course, but I also write about music more broadly on my Artist Blog.

In my artist blog I share my latest recordings, videos and updates. I also write Music Reviews. My latest music review is of a WOMADelaide compilation CD that includes some indigenous music. You can read the review here.

If you’re interested in staying up to date on what I do musically as a recording and performing Artist, you can sign-up for my monthly newsletter.

Thought of the week…

6 Apr

When common sense keeps you from being the person you were created to be (& living the life you were destined for), that may be common, but it makes no sense.

Renate

Poets Wall @ Stanmore

16 Aug

Strolling through a part of Sydney that I normally drive through, I spotted this phrase scribbled in red on an industrial wall at the bottom of Denison street in Stanmore – a bit of urban wisdom from the Graffiti Poet on the local ‘wall-zine’

A Surry Hills Winter

12 Jun

Regret 遗憾

16 Sep

How the dictionary defines ‘regret’ I do not know, but I have heard it said that in looking back one can destroy one’s previous work. Looking back ruins that which you have laboured to achieve.

Regret is a very fundamental betrayal. Like disagreeing with oneself, regret is emotional violence against the person you once were. It is the throwing of empty punches in the air, a futile attack on the memory of someone you no longer are.

There is the notion of guilt of course – but guilt can be atoned for, can be forgiven – regret is far more hopeless. Like an unalterable pain, it carries a sense of the unredeemable. I don’t know what the cure is for such regret.

Some convince themselves that nothing matters, that regret is for those who still yearn. I have seen that. I have witnessed their gradual and willing surrender to emptiness, as though they hope to silence the voice of regret and die with it.

Beyond a certain redemption, I do not know what to do with such regret. I do know however the intent to seek and cling to Life and the invitation to let regret be an educator.

This little favour 这小恩惠

5 Sep

Oh poor you,
The status quo has woken up raining
And you haven’t bothered with a parade
of any sort

Is a drenched one beneath you?
You could just let it pour?

Do yourself this little favour
Feel how rain can kiss you
Feel how life can rush back to your cheeks

Oh poor you,
Clouds hug your sky
Spitefully tormenting
and you let them

Petrified, you call it wisdom
To hold on for dear life

Do yourself this little favour
Find a bit of foolishness
Find a bit of folly and venture

Watch your life soar in the storm
Oh, what foolishness!

Watch the wind take your dreams high
Oh, such folly!

Your affliction might be sweet
Poor you!

© by Renate B. Nguyen 2006

Legeloren

5 Sep

Achteloos verloog hij
nam licht de dwaalte
en vond verloed

Achterbeten was het
als zoete dwoest
eerst voorzichtig
en versparend
toen zonder achting
en versloren

Zo vond zij hem
verkringeld
in zijn ongedogen

Zij kwaamde
zijn verlaat

Trienend

niet om de teelde
niet om het verdwang

maar om het legeloren
zo ontastbaar
in haar handen

© by Renate B. Nguyen 2006

Boos 生气的

5 Sep

boos
maar de roos weigert
wenst niet te verfraaien
wat mijn ware aard
verbloemen

© by Renate B. Nguyen 2006

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