Heaven created the banana tree, how beautiful!

a fragile body, leaves full all around

self-rising, self-living on good soil

then bearing flowers, fruit, like a painted picture

a cluster bearing twenty large hands

must use a stick to prop it, the banana grows fast

after the fruit has formed

the self sacrifices itself, lying by forever!

thinking about the banana tree, oh heaven!

how few are truly wholehearted in helping the world

a benevolent heart, deep and profound

altruistic, self-giving, echoing for ten thousand generations!

wholeheartedly flowers and fruit help the world

having helped, the banana is tattered, needing nothing

thus withering itself away

thus in this life such worldly deeds are rare!

such a self-giving heart, who knows

compassionate, virtuous deeds, how few through the ages

dying yet the world stays fresh

though eyes are closed for ten thousand autumns!

thanks to Heaven, thanks to Buddha for blessing

old age gets to enjoy the ferry of good fortune

having a new home, warm and cozy

thanks to Sơn, thanks to George who wholeheartedly prepared it

autumn goes, winter comes, oh so cold

outside the pines stand as in summer and spring

cuckoo, rooster crowing in murmur

as if defying the harsh sky and biting wind

pity the elderly ones

life's years spent, no more joyful fragrance

fresh breeze is the noontime age

having reached a hundred years, stretching on nearly done

now the age of rest has come

wishing whoever remains a joyful life of nurturing!

January seventeenth, Wednesday

Thành went for a health check, tired in all four limbs

after the exam, the doctor found nothing different

advice: nourish and the four limbs recover at once

milk and water drunk continually

strength returns at once, sleep long

if not, must go to Providence [hospital]

the future not good, an omen of worry awaits

roughly three hours drifting by

they need a bit of blood to resolve afterward

plus more colored urine sample

to run tests, before and after in harmony

that is the story of father

home exhausted, sleeping is only natural!

raincoat, conical hat already have

when the rain comes is when I need them

looking at the sky, no shadow of clouds

the sun still shines on the earth, how beautiful!

so wait for the month, wait for the day

so much hope, the sky still hot today

return the hat and coat to be done with

free the mind from bother, stop the heart's longing

but that breaks the rule, right,

must follow through complaints to settle this

cleverness, preparation, how sad!

mother and father still well, day and night how

now waiting for the order whenever

if news arrives, whatever prepared is just enough

no more worry both morning and noon

let's enjoy the present, don't long too far away!

the rooster just finished its crowing time

the dog at the start hurriedly barks in winter

now Phong, Hạnh, Hiếu break loose from the cage

Thái along with Dung...

the barking sound rings up to the moon and stars

Thủy Sơn and Đại rush out

...

the gentle age, don't go out of the house

the barking each moment further away

then vanishing, the Dog year falls silent!

the second day, time is up

only Lan Thái remain, the group at home

the heart wishes to help mother and father

to fulfill filial piety, only then is it satisfying!

when Lan Thái return now

then Đoàn, the finisher, repays helping the house

with plenty, father and mother are well ah

that is the blessing Heaven has granted

only then know, riches overflow the banks

money full like water, high rank at the top

if one behaves carelessly

then there is no joy, retirement met with mockery

so, keep the way in all respects

keep it complete, shift and be happy forever!

thank you grandchild for asking after me

but grandpa is deaf, so just lies resting

must ask Đoàn to help with the sound

if grandchild is filial, oh how joyful

Thái - Lan work without stopping

you siblings now rise to fame

one is a renowned doctor

Cường is a pharmacist, all through the night happy

engineer is grandchild, oh

hope for all, don't sit and rank low

help the family, help the country, not easy

friends must be chosen, don't be addicted to gambling

do truly good things, don't go wrong,

Heaven grants blessings, lasting through the years!

this Tết Lan Thái come to visit

wishing father, wishing mother a truly happy life

first, healthy and peaceful

eating drinking fully, outwardly not sad

medicine, keep using, drink always

never negligent, keep hygiene

keep the mind at peace

yes it is longevity, truly keep it in heart

Thái - Lan, children wish and hope

parents eat cake to ease the heart

then take photos joyfully together

to keep as memories here and there awaiting

one day helping with all the heart

Thái Lan feel satisfied as hoped

fairyland has come to earth

eyes see nose smells, overflowing with fragrance

hearing, unbelievable tale of Thằng Bờm

seeing it clear, the straw mechanism of heaven's house

who planted, who tilled the estate

so now able to see the age of Buddha and Fairy

how joyful, one with a gentle heart

then Heaven rewards morning and evening

...

then ... planting in return, is what is welcomed and hoped!

sitting sad, gazing at the scene outside the garden

grass and trees even so still rise on living

the weather still lingeringly cold

so flowers not yet bloomed, birds circle around

tall trees, trees with many branches

fruit and flowers not yet, blue sky still dreaming

hoping spring fulfills the dream

spring breeze cool, so much awaited

when summer comes the heart is at ease

take the seed to sow and the garden work is done

sunny then, the plants will rise

fruit and flowers will bloom, will spread together

thus flowers and fruit of every color

Heaven grants to enjoy, all night

dew falls, must help hold the season

so the people are satisfied, standing sitting only then at peace!

the people now progress so much, oh how glad!

planted trees bear fruit, so long awaited

busy though it be, the heart is content

fruit and flowers brimming, leisurely satisfied

the wish to go abroad nourishes the time

progress has helped standing sitting to be at peace

so then we just stay kind

enduring hardship, Buddha and Fairy bless at once

the home's land, cultivated continually

water always, fertilize carefully, pesticide to kill bugs

study so the result comes first

many flowers, many fruit, all night content

fruit big, and sweet is what's hoped

that is the teacher's word, nothing more to hope for.

looking on the computer, only then know

Malaysia has this kind of jackfruit, oh precious!

the fruit longer than a meter, that's right

it fruits abundantly, and large, the segments so golden

much flesh, little fiber, in layers

the seeds truly small, easy to peel out

fragrant smell, rich sweet flavor

eating it, refreshing, soothing the skin, the best

Vietnam longs for it, oh heaven

immediately buy for seed, plant it

now the heart feels satisfied as hoped

sell and gain, plenty of money, a pure heart blessed by Buddha!