Summary

“Someday I’ll Love Ocean Vuong” immediately opens with Vuong extending gentle but firm compassion to himself as he directly says to himself, “Ocean, don’t be afraid” (1). Soon afterwards, Vuong insists that time heals all wounds when he writes to himself, “The end of the road is so far ahead / it is already behind us” (2-3). Vuong then delves into the specifics of what suffering he is attempting to contend with by bringing his father into the poem – “Your father is only your father / until one of you forgets” (4-5). In response to his father’s abandonment, his “[forgetting]” of his paternal duties, Vuong brings into the picture the idea of maternal love, affirming that “The most beautiful part / of your body is wherever / your mother’s shadow falls” (9-11). While Vuong may still be working through his painful paternal memories, Vuong still...