Published in Overland Issue 254 Autumn 2024 · Poetry [18. Palpebral] (from 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem) Nam Le They’d rather you be inscrutable than difficult.They’d rather you be impassive than original.They’d rather you be enlightened than ambiguous.They’d rather you be opaque than unpredictable.They’d rather you be immaculate than ambitious.They’d rather you be serene than volatile.They’d rather you be deathless than carnal.They’d rather you be beautiful than vital.They’d rather you be resolute than self-doubting.They’d rather you be authentic than inappropriate.They’d rather you be unearthly than ordinary.They’d rather you be exceptional than agnate.They’d rather you be virtuous than moral.They’d rather you be correct than slanged.They’d yada you be yin than yada.They’d yada you be yada than yang. Nam Le Nam Le is the author of The Boat, On David Malouf, and 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem. His work, which appears in modern classics series, has received major awards in Australia, America and Europe, and is widely translated and taught. His poetry has been published in Paris Review, Poetry, Granta and elsewhere. More by Nam Le › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 5 November 2025 · Poetry Force posture agreement Miroslav Sandev The men of Darwin have all taken their rottweilers / out for a walk at the same time. / For our protection. Like Pine Gap: / all those big white eyes that scan / the darkening horizon. / The eyes stay woke, so that we may sleep. / Or so they say. 1 22 August 202522 August 2025 · Poetry starmight K.A Ren Wyld Ending genocide and apartheid is the story. Palestinian liberation is the story. / Aboriginal rights is the story. Truth, justice, treaties and land back is the story. / Global Indigenous peoples’ solidarity and joy is the story. Kinship is the story.