‹ all poemsset-099 · set-099

Không đề

1997

Mang con, chui vo lung tung
Carrying the child, crawling in confusion
Truoc go Bong Dao anh hung mot cay
Before the Peach Garden a lone hero
Trong qua: net mat, got giay?
Look closely: facial features, heel of shoe?
Nhin them cho ro: toc may? Mat huyen?
Look more clearly: cloud hair? Dark eyes?
Nu cuoi co that la duyen?
Is the smile truly charming?
Giang di: Uyen chuyen, nhu thuyen luot song?
Walking: graceful, like a boat gliding on waves?
Noi nang: diu ngot doa hong?
Speaking: gentle sweet as a rose?
Tuoi vua: trang du, chua chong? Chua con?
Right age: full moon, unmarried? No children?
Ro rang: nien thoi con son
Clearly: still young and single
Got sen, theo duoi, truyen don phao rang
Lotus heels, pursuing, spreading the firecracker news
Ke va ket canh theo nang
Wanting to pair up beside her
Ra cong luyen phep de mang nang ve
Making effort to practice magic to bring her home
Khi nao nang da thanh the
When she has already agreed
Ruou nong, de beo de hue doi ta.
Warm wine, offer feast to celebrate us two.
Mang con, chui vo lung tung
Truoc go Bong Dao anh hung mot cay
Trong qua: net mat, got giay?
Nhin them cho ro: toc may? Mat huyen?
Nu cuoi co that la duyen?
Giang di: Uyen chuyen, nhu thuyen luot song?
Noi nang: diu ngot doa hong?
Tuoi vua: trang du, chua chong? Chua con?
Ro rang: nien thoi con son
Got sen, theo duoi, truyen don phao rang
Ke va ket canh theo nang
Ra cong luyen phep de mang nang ve
Khi nao nang da thanh the
Ruou nong, de beo de hue doi ta.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • other1997 (handwritten scrawl at end)
· · ·

ANH HỒNG

1997

Truoc kia anh o MaDi (Madison)
Before, brother lived in MaDi (Madison)
Ngay thi co viec, dem thi co an
By day work, by night rest
Phai chang da gap kho khan?
Perhaps you have met hardship?
Bo Sa (Bolsa) don den, gan can tiem vang?
Bolsa greeting you, near a gold shop?
Cuoi cuoi, noi noi oang oang
Laughing, talking loudly
Lam tim dan nut bat nang bop chan
Making the heart burst, having her rub feet
Mung rang suc da hap dan
Glad that your health is attractive
Tuoi de con manh con gan hon nguoi
Young enough to bear strong healthy children better than others
Doi anh nhu the la tuoi
Your life like that is fresh
Chuc anh truong tho muoi muoi ben nang
Wishing you longevity perfectly beside her
Hong Van nghe tieng dep sang
Hong Van, hearing the beautiful noble name
Con duyen con dang, anh cang ngat ngay.
Still charming and graceful, you grow more enchanted.
Truoc kia anh o MaDi (Madison)
Ngay thi co viec, dem thi co an
Phai chang da gap kho khan?
Bo Sa (Bolsa) don den, gan can tiem vang?
Cuoi cuoi, noi noi oang oang
Lam tim dan nut bat nang bop chan
Mung rang suc da hap dan
Tuoi de con manh con gan hon nguoi
Doi anh nhu the la tuoi
Chuc anh truong tho muoi muoi ben nang
Hong Van nghe tieng dep sang
Con duyen con dang, anh cang ngat ngay.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • other1997 (handwritten scrawl at end)
· · ·

Tặng chị T. Hạnh (chị của ThuLe)

1997

Thuong cho ke o nguoi di
Pity those who remain and those who leave
Buon cho nong noi biet ly doi doi
Sad for the situation of eternal parting
Cau troi sieu thoat ai oi
Pray to heaven for liberation, oh dear
Mong ai an lac qua thoi van den
Wishing one peace through the dark times
Tre tho ban voi sach den
Young children companions with black books
Mai nay rang ro nhu sen trong ho
Later shining bright as lotus in the pond
Tien dua mot tieng: "O Ho"
Farewell with one cry: "Alas"
Chuc ai an giac duoi mo tram nam.
Wishing one peaceful sleep in the grave for a hundred years.
Thuong cho ke o nguoi di
Buon cho nong noi biet ly doi doi
Cau troi sieu thoat ai oi
Mong ai an lac qua thoi van den
Tre tho ban voi sach den
Mai nay rang ro nhu sen trong ho
Tien dua mot tieng: "O Ho"
Chuc ai an giac duoi mo tram nam.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • other1997 (handwritten at end)
· · ·

CHÚC MỪNG (oct. 1997)

oct. 1997

Bich Van, Quoc Hop sanh doi,
Bich Van, Quoc Hop paired together,
To duyen troi dinh dung hoi uoc mong
The bond heaven-ordained just as hoped
Chuc cho con giong chau dong,
Wishing offspring and many grandchildren,
Sat cam hoa hop dep trong dep ngoai
Harmonious as lute and zither, beautiful inside and out
Bich Van, Quoc Hop sanh doi,
To duyen troi dinh dung hoi uoc mong
Chuc cho con giong chau dong,
Sat cam hoa hop dep trong dep ngoai
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

Không đề

Bam tu chau chat thi tuyen khon lanh
With children and grandchildren, then descendants clever and clean
Cam on loi chuc tot lanh
Thank you for the good wishes
Chung toi dau phai may xanh tren troi
We are not blue clouds in the sky
Von la dom dom ngoai khoi
Originally fireflies out at sea
Chi mong quy ban suot doi am no
Only wishing friends lifelong comfort
Vui vi gap mat truyen tro
Happy to meet face to face and chat
Chuc cho toan the phuc to lon giau
Wishing all great blessings and wealth
Du cho co o dau dau
Even if living anywhere
Viet Nam, My quoc bi bau ban than.
Vietnam, America gourd-and-squash close friends.
Bam tu chau chat thi tuyen khon lanh
Cam on loi chuc tot lanh
Chung toi dau phai may xanh tren troi
Von la dom dom ngoai khoi
Chi mong quy ban suot doi am no
Vui vi gap mat truyen tro
Chuc cho toan the phuc to lon giau
Du cho co o dau dau
Viet Nam, My quoc bi bau ban than.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. bi bau — Refers to the Vietnamese proverb 'bầu ơi thương lấy bí cùng' - gourd and squash, symbolizing close-knit compatriots.
marginalia
  • strikethroughlarge X drawn over the stanza
· · ·

MỪNG VUI

Bo mi uot le mung vui
Eyelashes wet with tears of joy
Ma moi map may ngot bui bao nam
Cheeks and lips full, sweet through many years
Doi ta sang tua trang ram
We two bright as the full moon
Mong gi duoc do chang cam dieu gi
Wishing for anything, getting it, holding nothing back
Gia roi nay muon uoc chi
Now old, what more to wish
Chau con chieu chuong at thi co ngay
Grandchildren and children pampering surely will come
Suot nam cho chi toi ngay
All year waiting for the day
Tin rang duc hanh thi hay thang ta
Believing virtue prevails over us
Cho nen an o net na
So live gracefully
Vua duoc tin can vua la an vui
Being trusted and thus at peace
Quy hoa o cho thom mui
The precious flower lies in its fragrance
Trong nguoi danh tieng da bui lai thom
In a person, fame though dusty stays fragrant
Bo mi uot le mung vui
Ma moi map may ngot bui bao nam
Doi ta sang tua trang ram
Mong gi duoc do chang cam dieu gi
Gia roi nay muon uoc chi
Chau con chieu chuong at thi co ngay
Suot nam cho chi toi ngay
Tin rang duc hanh thi hay thang ta
Cho nen an o net na
Vua duoc tin can vua la an vui
Quy hoa o cho thom mui
Trong nguoi danh tieng da bui lai thom
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

CẢM ƠN (Làm sau ngày lễ Bát tuần)

Doi on Troi Phat To Tien
Grateful to Heaven, Buddha, Ancestors
Cam on ban huu du mien do day
Thanks to friends from all regions here
Long ai nhu bat nuoc day
Everyone's heart like a bowl full of water
Tam ai qua dep nhu may tren troi
Everyone's heart beautiful as clouds in the sky
Tam tuan chuc tho thanh thoi
Eighty years wished longevity and ease
An ninh phu quy loi loi ngoi khen
Peace and wealth, praise upon praise
Giu le gin duc troi den
Keeping rites and virtue till heaven comes
Khuyen con cung chau noi sen trong ho.
Advising children and grandchildren to imitate the lotus in the pond.
Doi on Troi Phat To Tien
Cam on ban huu du mien do day
Long ai nhu bat nuoc day
Tam ai qua dep nhu may tren troi
Tam tuan chuc tho thanh thoi
An ninh phu quy loi loi ngoi khen
Giu le gin duc troi den
Khuyen con cung chau noi sen trong ho.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. Bat tuan — Bát tuần = 80th birthday.
· · ·

Đời già

9/4/97

Doi gia, di chuyen nay thoi
Old age, this journey now ends
Ve roi, vinh vien, len doi ngam may
Returned, forever, up the hill gazing at clouds
Mac doi, bo canh, bo cay
Leaving life, forsaking branches and trees
Vi vu cung gio bay giay cho mong
Whistling with the wind, flying every moment awaited
Uoc sao gio phai that long
Wishing the wind be truly gentle
Xin dung dau giem doi trong doi ngoai
Please don't torment inside and outside
Coi tran the tuc lam sai
The worldly realm does much wrong
Tu than tu duc ay dai vinh quang!
Self-cultivation and virtue, that is lasting glory!
Doi gia, di chuyen nay thoi
Ve roi, vinh vien, len doi ngam may
Mac doi, bo canh, bo cay
Vi vu cung gio bay giay cho mong
Uoc sao gio phai that long
Xin dung dau giem doi trong doi ngoai
Coi tran the tuc lam sai
Tu than tu duc ay dai vinh quang!
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

Tặng bà Xuân Lan

Dec. 15, 1990

May khi Trung Bac mot nha,
Fortunate when Central and North one family,
May khi Nam Viet, Co Hoa hop cung
Fortunate when South Vietnam, overseas Chinese unite
Hom nay cum ruou ly chung
Today we raise a shared cup of wine
Chuc cho suc khoe, song hung hon xua.
Wishing health, living more vigorously than before.
Banh beo cung voi mang cua,
Banh beo together with crab noodles,
Nau sao kheo lai vua thom ngon
Cooked so skillfully, fragrant and delicious
Du an mot chut con con,
Though eating just a little bit,
Roi sau xa cach van con nho nhau.
Then apart later still remembering each other.
May khi Trung Bac mot nha,
May khi Nam Viet, Co Hoa hop cung
Hom nay cum ruou ly chung
Chuc cho suc khoe, song hung hon xua.
Banh beo cung voi mang cua,
Nau sao kheo lai vua thom ngon
Du an mot chut con con,
Roi sau xa cach van con nho nhau.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • correctioncircled 'oK' in left margin
  • side_notehandwritten cursive notes in right margin (illegible)
· · ·

Tặng ông bà thân sinh anh Như

May 1990 · Oak Ridge

Mung rang gia quyen xum vay,
Glad the family gathers together,
Chuc cho gia quyen tu nay thinh cuong
Wishing the family from now prosperous and strong
Trai thi viec tot, cao luong
Sons with good jobs, high salary
Gai thi cham chi, tram duong net na
Daughters diligent, graceful in all ways
Hoa Viet, dau cung la nha,
Chinese-Vietnamese, everywhere is home,
Quanh nam manh khoe at la suong vui
Year-round healthy, surely joyful
Loc tang hoa trai them mui,
Blessings add flowers and fruits more fragrant,
Gang cong, chiu kho, doi tuoi them mau
Striving, enduring hardship, life fresher and brighter
Roi day them re, them dau,
Then there will be more sons- and daughters-in-law,
Them tinh bang huu, quen sau viec xua
More friendship, forgetting old grudges
Thanh binh, nang am, het mua,
Peace, warm sun, rain ended,
O hien gap thien, co xua con truyen
Kindness meets goodness, old sayings still passed down
Con vui, con khoe, con duyen
Children happy, healthy, charming
Con cheo, con lai, at thuyen qua song
Children rowing, paddling, surely the boat crosses the river
Cau cho vuon no bong hong
Praying the garden blooms with roses
Chuc cho hong do, nguoi trong duoc vui.
Wishing the roses red, the gardener joyful.
Mung rang gia quyen xum vay,
Chuc cho gia quyen tu nay thinh cuong
Trai thi viec tot, cao luong
Gai thi cham chi, tram duong net na
Hoa Viet, dau cung la nha,
Quanh nam manh khoe at la suong vui
Loc tang hoa trai them mui,
Gang cong, chiu kho, doi tuoi them mau
Roi day them re, them dau,
Them tinh bang huu, quen sau viec xua
Thanh binh, nang am, het mua,
O hien gap thien, co xua con truyen
Con vui, con khoe, con duyen
Con cheo, con lai, at thuyen qua song
Cau cho vuon no bong hong
Chuc cho hong do, nguoi trong duoc vui.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • correction'oK' handwritten in left margin
  • strikethroughseveral strikethroughs on words: 'at la suong vui', 'doi tuoi them mau', 'them re them dau', 'quen sau viec xua'
  • otherlarge oval circle around 'Con vui, con khoe, con duyen / Con cheo, con lai, at thuyen qua song'
  • side_notecursive handwritten notes in right and left margins (largely illegible)
· · ·

GỌI GIÓ

4.4.97 · Oak Ridge

Gio oi, gio hay ngung day
Wind oh, wind please pause here
Nghe loi anh Tho dai bay tam tu
Hear brother Tho's long words baring his heart
Truoc nay anh van nhan tu
Until now brother remained benevolent
Viec cong coi trong, viec tu nhe phan
Public matters weighed heavy, private matters lighter
The ma am uc, phan van
Yet grievances, hesitation
Muoi phan muon noi chin phan lai thoi
Ten parts wanting to speak, nine parts held back
Nhieu khi soi hong bong oi
Often the pink thread suddenly cries
Gio ma thau ro, chau toi duoc nho.
If the wind truly understands, my grandchildren will be remembered.
Gio oi, gio hay ngung day
Nghe loi anh Tho dai bay tam tu
Truoc nay anh van nhan tu
Viec cong coi trong, viec tu nhe phan
The ma am uc, phan van
Muoi phan muon noi chin phan lai thoi
Nhieu khi soi hong bong oi
Gio ma thau ro, chau toi duoc nho.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • correctioncircled 'oK' in left margin
  • strikethrough'chau toi duoc nho' partially struck through
  • side_notehandwritten cursive note in right margin (illegible)
· · ·

KHÔNG NẢN

1992 · Oak Ridge

Xien nang dang mat my hung
Slanting sun facing the American features
Nuoi con an hoc ban cung voi xe
Raising children to study, selling with the car
Kho buon chiu dung than le
Bitter and sad, enduring alone
Mam moi chiu kho khong he ke cong
Persevering hardship without counting the toil
Vi ai qua bao, mua, giong,
For whom through storms, rain, tempest,
Vi ai hanh phuc, hanh thong bay day
For whom happiness and success fill here
The nen moi co gay nay
Thus there is today
Nho on cong me, "Mau Ngay" dat ten
Grateful for mother's toil, named "Mother's Day"
Xien nang dang mat my hung
Nuoi con an hoc ban cung voi xe
Kho buon chiu dung than le
Mam moi chiu kho khong he ke cong
Vi ai qua bao, mua, giong,
Vi ai hanh phuc, hanh thong bay day
The nen moi co gay nay
Nho on cong me, "Mau Ngay" dat ten
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughlarge X drawn across the whole poem
  • side_notehandwritten note in top-left margin (illegible)
  • otherhandwritten 'Oak Ridge 1992' at end
· · ·

CHÚC TẾT

Jan. 26, 92 - 23 Tet ong Tao · Oak Ridge

Nham Than, tiec tet tung bung,
Year of the Water Monkey, Tet feast lively,
Chuc mung quy ban thinh hung gap muoi.
Congratulating friends, prosperity tenfold.
Xuan sang, canh vat that tuoi,
Spring arrives, scenery so fresh,
Mai Lan dua no, tieng cuoi don tan.
Apricot and orchid vie to bloom, laughter resounds.
Nam nhi: "Chi khi, hien ngang",
Men: "Will and pride, upright",
Quan thoa: " noi tieng dam dang viec nha"
Women: "renowned for managing the household"
Nhi dong:" Thi tho tai ba,
Children: "Poetry and talent,
Tuong lai dat Viet, nuoc nha cay trong"
Future of Vietnam, the nation relies on"
Toan dan: "con chau Tien Rong,
All people: "descendants of Fairy and Dragon,
Phuc hung to quoc, non song may hoi."
Reviving the fatherland, the land for how many generations."
Nham Than, tiec tet tung bung,
Chuc mung quy ban thinh hung gap muoi.
Xuan sang, canh vat that tuoi,
Mai Lan dua no, tieng cuoi don tan.
Nam nhi: "Chi khi, hien ngang",
Quan thoa: " noi tieng dam dang viec nha"
Nhi dong:" Thi tho tai ba,
Tuong lai dat Viet, nuoc nha cay trong"
Toan dan: "con chau Tien Rong,
Phuc hung to quoc, non song may hoi."
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. Nham Than — Nhâm Thân = the year 1992 in the sexagenary cycle.
  2. 23 Tet ong Tao — The 23rd of the 12th lunar month, the Kitchen God festival preceding Tet.
marginalia
  • otheroval circle around date line 'Oak Ridge, Jan. 26, 92 - 23 Tet ong Tao'
· · ·

Không đề

Bao nam vat va dat nguoi
Many years toiling in a foreign land
Tao ngoi nha moi that tuoi that mung
Building a new house, so fresh, so joyful
Tu nay gia quyen vui chung
From now the family shares joy
Chuc cho hanh phuc chuc cung thinh them.
Wishing happiness and growing prosperity.
Bao nam vat va dat nguoi
Tao ngoi nha moi that tuoi that mung
Tu nay gia quyen vui chung
Chuc cho hanh phuc chuc cung thinh them.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • otherconnected to preceding poem's date circle by a line
· · ·

Không đề

1992 · Oak Ridge

Som khuya, con cho tho o,
Morning and night, children indifferent,
Sieng nang, chiu kho, toi bo thanh cong.
Diligent, enduring hardship, I attain success.
Som khuya, con cho tho o,
Sieng nang, chiu kho, toi bo thanh cong.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughscribbles/strikethroughs over the lines
· · ·

LẠY CHA

4/4/97 · Oak Ridge

O Ho! Cha da that ve!
Alas! Father has truly departed!
Ben Me, ro le, doi be chia ly
By Mother's side, clearly, the two shores part
Am duong cach biet noi chi
Yin and yang separated, what to say
Mong cha quen het at la hon
Wishing father forgets all, that would be better
Chung con nho mai cong on
We children forever remember your kindness
Chung con quyet o thien chon hien hoa
We children resolve to dwell in kindness and gentleness
Me gia con chau sot sa
Old Mother, children and grandchildren anxious
Thuong cha, duong me ca nha tam ghi.
Loving father, caring for mother, the whole family remembers.
O Ho! Cha da that ve!
Ben Me, ro le, doi be chia ly
Am duong cach biet noi chi
Mong cha quen het at la hon
Chung con nho mai cong on
Chung con quyet o thien chon hien hoa
Me gia con chau sot sa
Thuong cha, duong me ca nha tam ghi.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. introductory note — A prose note before this poem: 'Bai nay lam de tang anh Tho vi trong tho nhan duoc cua anh tu HaNoi ngay 4/4/97, anh cho biet ba anh moi mat' — This poem is made to honor brother Tho because in a letter received from him from Hanoi on 4/4/97, he reported his father had just passed away.
marginalia
  • insertion'thi' inserted near 'Mong cha quen het at la hon'
  • otherlarge looping bracket line connecting the intro note to the poem
· · ·

TÌNH TIỀN

O doi song duoc bao lau
In life, how long do we live
Tinh tien hai chu lao dau chay theo
Love and money, two words, why chase after
Tram ngan van bao la ngheo
Hundreds thousands millions, still poor
Xe hoi nha moi, than beo bot troi
Cars, new houses, floating duckweed adrift
Com roi lai muon co xoi
Rice already, then wanting sticky rice too
Bac vang da co ngoc xoan cung ham
Having silver and gold, still craving jade and diamonds
Cung vi chi tai chu tham
All because of the word greed
O danh de lai dau cham deo tay
Fame left behind is but a burden on the hands
Ai ham thi de hay say
Whoever craves it grows drunk
Say tinh nang nhat bo ngay duoc nao
Drunk on love, hardest to drop at once
To long quan quit bo sao
The heart clinging, how to let go
Tam tu vuong van nguyet sao tren troi
The mind entangled with the moon and stars above
Duong ngay luat phap viec doi
Righteous path, law, worldly affairs
Oi cha! Tac luoi cho roi cam nang
Oh father! Click the tongue and let it go, grasp firmly
The la thuyen da sang ngang
So the boat has crossed over
Mac ai o lai ngo ngang nua chi!
Let others stay behind bewildered no more!
Tinh tien hai chu gat di,
Love and money, two words, brush aside,
An nhan thanh than ta thi suong than.
Idle and carefree, we then are content.
O doi song duoc bao lau
Tinh tien hai chu lao dau chay theo
Tram ngan van bao la ngheo
Xe hoi nha moi, than beo bot troi
Com roi lai muon co xoi
Bac vang da co ngoc xoan cung ham
Cung vi chi tai chu tham
O danh de lai dau cham deo tay
Ai ham thi de hay say
Say tinh nang nhat bo ngay duoc nao
To long quan quit bo sao
Tam tu vuong van nguyet sao tren troi
Duong ngay luat phap viec doi
Oi cha! Tac luoi cho roi cam nang
The la thuyen da sang ngang
Mac ai o lai ngo ngang nua chi!
Tinh tien hai chu gat di,
An nhan thanh than ta thi suong than.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethrough'ngoc xoan cung' has a circular strike/mark
  • side_notehandwritten '... con' note in right margin
· · ·

NGANG TRÁI

Doc tho long nhung quan dau,
Reading the poem, the heart writhes in grief,
Coi hinh thuong ke be dau noi chim
Seeing the picture, pity the one adrift and sunk
Ten ai sien trung canh chim,
Whose arrow pierced the bird's wing,
Dan nao da ban xuyen tim Pham Hong?
Which bullet shot through Pham Hong's heart?
Bao nam tranh dau cho trong
So many years struggling to no avail
Hieu con, nghia vo ma khong toai nguyen.
Filial son, dutiful husband yet unfulfilled.
Vi dau thieu phuc, thieu duyen
Why lacking blessing, lacking fate
Thieu tinh phu phu, thieu quyen lam cha!
Lacking marital love, lacking the right to be a father!
Doc tho long nhung quan dau,
Coi hinh thuong ke be dau noi chim
Ten ai sien trung canh chim,
Dan nao da ban xuyen tim Pham Hong?
Bao nam tranh dau cho trong
Hieu con, nghia vo ma khong toai nguyen.
Vi dau thieu phuc, thieu duyen
Thieu tinh phu phu, thieu quyen lam cha!
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • other'Tang anh Hong' written above title as dedication — To brother Hong
· · ·

Không đề

Viet Nam, thua cua thua nha
Vietnam, lacking wealth, lacking a home
Hoa Ky tam tru tai gia ban be
America, temporarily staying at friends' homes
Nguoi ta len ngua xuong xe
Others mount horses, step from cars
Ma ai leo deo via he le chan!
Yet one trudges along the sidewalk edge!
Troi cho con o coi tran
Heaven lets the child stay in the mortal world
Phai lam moi song lan khan duoc nao.
Must work to live, no lingering allowed.
Dem ngay khan vai troi cao
Day and night praying to high heaven
Cho than manh khoe cho sao du sai
For a healthy body, enough to get by
Viet Nam, thua cua thua nha
Hoa Ky tam tru tai gia ban be
Nguoi ta len ngua xuong xe
Ma ai leo deo via he le chan!
Troi cho con o coi tran
Phai lam moi song lan khan duoc nao.
Dem ngay khan vai troi cao
Cho than manh khoe cho sao du sai
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

CHÁU HÙNG

Christmas 96

Can cau co giu co an
Fishing rod there, keep it, there is food
Ca cau danh dum de danh bua mai
Catch fish, save some for tomorrow
Ban doi truyen ngan truyen dai
Sell life's short and long stories
Mai nha du nho tuong lai, viec can
The home though small, for the future, what's needed
Me cha cho chi nguoi than
Parents wait, along with kin
Tho tu tham hoi thanh gan du xa
Letters visiting, near becoming close though far
Do la sau viec : a ha!
That is deep in work: aha!
Thu thi cho duoc at la thanh cong.
If you try to succeed, surely you will succeed.
Can cau co giu co an
Ca cau danh dum de danh bua mai
Ban doi truyen ngan truyen dai
Mai nha du nho tuong lai, viec can
Me cha cho chi nguoi than
Tho tu tham hoi thanh gan du xa
Do la sau viec : a ha!
Thu thi cho duoc at la thanh cong.
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

Tặng anh Nhất

Hom nay sinh nhat cua anh
Today is your birthday
Chuc anh them tho, khoe lanh lai tuoi
Wishing you longer life, health and fresh youth
Gia dinh luon no nu cuoi
Family always blooming with smiles
An khang phuc loc muoi muoi ven toan
Peace, blessing, fortune, perfectly complete
Cau sao duoc nay tren ban
Praying for what is on the table
Vo chong hanh phuc nong han co nhau
Husband and wife happy, warmly having each other
Chung tinh co truoc co sau
Faithful in love, before and after
Tu nhan tich duc nhiem mau sung than.
Cultivating virtue, accumulating merit, wondrous and blessed.
Hom nay sinh nhat cua anh
Chuc anh them tho, khoe lanh lai tuoi
Gia dinh luon no nu cuoi
An khang phuc loc muoi muoi ven toan
Cau sao duoc nay tren ban
Vo chong hanh phuc nong han co nhau
Chung tinh co truoc co sau
Tu nhan tich duc nhiem mau sung than.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • side_notehandwritten notes in right margin: 'troi' and 'suong' (illegible cursive)
· · ·

ĐI THI NHẬP TỊCH MỸ

Toc rau thi da bac roi
Hair and beard already grey
Ngoi khong nghi lai tuoi toi dang thi
Sitting idle, reflecting on my age still taking the test
Bay gio con thiet cai chi
Now what do I lose
Lai con cap sach di thi nhap lang
Still carrying books to test for citizenship
Viet Nam ban dung be bang
Vietnamese friends don't scorn
Co Hoa tuyen the, doi hang le roi
Overseas Chinese take oath, tears fall in rows
Oc dau tam tri roi boi
Head, brain, mind in disarray
Vi dau nen noi ta toi noi long!
Because of what have we come to this state!
Toc rau thi da bac roi
Ngoi khong nghi lai tuoi toi dang thi
Bay gio con thiet cai chi
Lai con cap sach di thi nhap lang
Viet Nam ban dung be bang
Co Hoa tuyen the, doi hang le roi
Oc dau tam tri roi boi
Vi dau nen noi ta toi noi long!
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. nhap tich My — Naturalizing as a US citizen.
· · ·

HÙNG / THU

Mung ai them mot con trai
Congratulating one on gaining a son
Chuc cho trai gai ca hai hien hoa
Wishing both son and daughter gentle and kind
Hung Thu nhieu loi phuong xa
Hung Thu, many words from afar
Tu tam, tu nghiep sau la am than
Cultivate heart, cultivate career, then be blessed
Me cha tham hoi an can
Parents inquire caringly
Mung ai them mot con trai
Chuc cho trai gai ca hai hien hoa
Hung Thu nhieu loi phuong xa
Tu tam, tu nghiep sau la am than
Me cha tham hoi an can
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

Không đề

Thanh-Phùng

Con nhieu, con nhieu, con nhieu, xin cho tam nghi, de roi lai tiep tuc them sau. Cam on va xin chuc moi nguoi van su binh an. ThanhPhung./.
Much more, much more, much more, please allow a pause, to then continue later. Thank you and wishing everyone all peace. ThanhPhung./.
Con nhieu, con nhieu, con nhieu, xin cho tam nghi, de roi lai tiep tuc them sau. Cam on va xin chuc moi nguoi van su binh an. ThanhPhung./.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughlarge slashes crossing the note
· · ·

Chúc thọ bát tuần ông LỘC 1

10-10-1999 · OakRidge · Thanh-Phùng

TuoiDoi thoDuoc tamMuoi
Life's age reaching eighty
LaVinh laHien nguoiNguoi ngoiKhen
Glorious and virtuous, everyone praises
MatOng NhinSang honDen
Your eyes look brighter than a lamp
TamOng thomNgat honSen bienHo
Your heart more fragrant than lotus of lake and sea
GiaDinh langSom taoTo
Family early on building the nest
CongOn gayDung muuDo dapCao
Merit built, plans raised high
GiangSon nuocViet tuHao
The land, the nation of Vietnam, proud
LungDanh LOCHANH quenSao duocMa./.
The renowned LOCHANH, how could it be forgotten./.
TuoiDoi thoDuoc tamMuoi
LaVinh laHien nguoiNguoi ngoiKhen
MatOng NhinSang honDen
TamOng thomNgat honSen bienHo
GiaDinh langSom taoTo
CongOn gayDung muuDo dapCao
GiangSon nuocViet tuHao
LungDanh LOCHANH quenSao duocMa./.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. bat tuan — Bát tuần = 80th birthday.
  2. LOCHANH — Appears to combine the names Loc and Hanh.
marginalia
  • otherhandwritten numbers '1' after title and circled scribbles in left margin
  • side_noteprose introduction above about the 80th birthday of ong Loc on 10-10-99 / corrected to 20-10-99
· · ·

Chúc thọ bát tuần ông LỘC 2

10-10-1999 · OakRidge · Thanh-Phùng

MungOng daTho tamMuoi
Glad you reach the age of eighty
ChucOng themTho deNguoi noiGuong
Wishing you more longevity as an example for others
OngDi chiLoi duaDuong
You go, only showing and guiding the way
DuongDi toiChon tinhThuong loaiNguoi
The path leading to the place of humankind's love
LamSao choDuoc doiTuoi......How?
How to attain a fresh life......How?
KhiNao lamDuoc nguoiNguoi cungTheo..When?
When it's achieved everyone follows..When?
LamGi tranhDuoc kyKeo...What?
What to do to avoid grudges...What?
TaiSao lamThe deLeo thienDang...Why?
Why do so to climb to heaven...Why?
MungOng daTho tamMuoi
ChucOng themTho deNguoi noiGuong
OngDi chiLoi duaDuong
DuongDi toiChon tinhThuong loaiNguoi
LamSao choDuoc doiTuoi......How?
KhiNao lamDuoc nguoiNguoi cungTheo..When?
LamGi tranhDuoc kyKeo...What?
TaiSao lamThe deLeo thienDang...Why?
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • otherhandwritten '2' after title
· · ·

Không đề

6-11-99

Hom nay, 6-11-99 ba khai truong 1/2 gio, di bo tren cai treadmill moi. May chay tot, chua co trieu chung gi dac biet. Ngay mai, la 7-11-99 moi langay sinh nhat cua ba. Ba se di 1 gio, de danh dau ngay ky niem ba buoc sang tuoi 83, va de on lai nhung tinh thuong cua con cai, o xa, o gan, da gopcong, gop cua, nghi den ba, giup ba, khoi co don, khoi yeu dau, de them suc khoe, va de them tho.
Today, 6-11-99, father inaugurated for 1/2 hour, walking on the new treadmill. The machine runs well, no special symptoms yet. Tomorrow, 7-11-99, is father's birthday. Father will walk 1 hour, to mark the anniversary of father turning 83, and to recall the love of the children, far and near, who contributed effort and means, thinking of father, helping father, to avoid loneliness, avoid ailment, to gain more health, and gain more longevity.
Hom nay, 6-11-99 ba khai truong 1/2 gio, di bo tren cai treadmill moi. May chay tot, chua co trieu chung gi dac biet. Ngay mai, la 7-11-99 moi langay sinh nhat cua ba. Ba se di 1 gio, de danh dau ngay ky niem ba buoc sang tuoi 83, va de on lai nhung tinh thuong cua con cai, o xa, o gan, da gopcong, gop cua, nghi den ba, giup ba, khoi co don, khoi yeu dau, de them suc khoe, va de them tho.
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughlarge slashes crossing the prose note
· · ·

NHẤT

7/11/97 · Plano

Hoa nao thom nhat tren doi?
Which flower is most fragrant on earth?
Nguoi nao dep nhat vi loi noi nang?
Who is most beautiful for their words?
Dem trang sang nhat chi Hang
On the brightest moonlit night, only Lady Hang
Ngoi doi, xau nhat lang nhang chuyen nguoi
Sitting idle, ugliest to gossip about others
Song lau neu nhat muoi muoi
Living long if surely perfect
Tieng tam te nhat la luoi lai tham
The worst reputation is a lazy and greedy tongue
Khen thay hang nhat hay lam
Praise indeed for the best deeds
Thuong cho hang nhat ke cam phan minh.
Pity the best who resign to their fate.
Hoa nao thom nhat tren doi?
Nguoi nao dep nhat vi loi noi nang?
Dem trang sang nhat chi Hang
Ngoi doi, xau nhat lang nhang chuyen nguoi
Song lau neu nhat muoi muoi
Tieng tam te nhat la luoi lai tham
Khen thay hang nhat hay lam
Thuong cho hang nhat ke cam phan minh.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. chi Hang — Chị Hằng = the Moon Lady (Hằng Nga).
marginalia
  • insertion'Ngoai' inserted before 'Ngoi doi' with a caret note in left margin
  • strikethrough'Ngoi doi' struck / replaced
· · ·

Cảm ơn (Ông Trác, bà Chị nhân vào lễ bát tuần & 65 năm Aniversary)

12/4/97 noon · Tren may bay Delta tu Knoxville di Seattle

On nay tra duoc hay chang
Can this favor ever be repaid
Tam long ghi mai huu bang tinh than
The heart forever remembers friendship's spirit
Sen thom, thom ca ho dam
Fragrant lotus scents the whole pond
Tinh nguoi vinh cuu lam ram nhac hoai!
Human love eternal, humming on forever!
Bay gio co bac, ca hai
Now there is silver hair, both of them
Cung ve, toi biet lay ai truyen tro
Also aging, whom do I know to confide in
Chi mong, cau chuc, troi cho
Only wishing, praying, heaven grants
Lam an thinh vuong hat ho mung vui.
Prosperous business, singing joyfully.
On nay tra duoc hay chang
Tam long ghi mai huu bang tinh than
Sen thom, thom ca ho dam
Tinh nguoi vinh cuu lam ram nhac hoai!
Bay gio co bac, ca hai
Cung ve, toi biet lay ai truyen tro
Chi mong, cau chuc, troi cho
Lam an thinh vuong hat ho mung vui.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. le bat tuan & 65 nam Aniversary — An 80th birthday and 65th wedding anniversary celebration.
marginalia
  • other'Cam on' written again in cursive below the title — Thank you
  • otherlarge bracket/parenthesis drawn on right side around the poem
  • side_note'TP' initials and arrow near date line
· · ·

CẢM ƠN (Chú Tựu)

Cam on chu da hoi tham
Thank you uncle for inquiring
Lai con tang anh loi dam tham tuoi
And also gifting brother deep fresh words
Bat tuan them chuc tho muoi
Eighty years, more wishes for full longevity
Loc nay la loc muoi muoi cua troi
This blessing is heaven's perfect blessing
Sau nham nam cuoi day voi
After the last Year of the Monkey ending here
Vo chong chung thuy vi coi trau day
Husband and wife faithful, valuing the betel leaf here
Bon trai bay gai do day
Four sons, seven daughters here
Da thanh gia that xum vay co nhau
Have married and gathered together
Bam tu chau chat truoc sau
Children and grandchildren before and after
Viet Nam to quoc trong dau nho ghi
Vietnam the fatherland deeply remembered
Hang nam tu hop hoc gi?
Each year gathering to learn what?
Hieu trung le nghia thuc thi doi doi.
Filial piety, loyalty, rites, righteousness practiced forever.
Cam on chu da hoi tham
Lai con tang anh loi dam tham tuoi
Bat tuan them chuc tho muoi
Loc nay la loc muoi muoi cua troi
Sau nham nam cuoi day voi
Vo chong chung thuy vi coi trau day
Bon trai bay gai do day
Da thanh gia that xum vay co nhau
Bam tu chau chat truoc sau
Viet Nam to quoc trong dau nho ghi
Hang nam tu hop hoc gi?
Hieu trung le nghia thuc thi doi doi.
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. Chu Tuu — 'Chú Tựu' = a paternal uncle named Tựu.
marginalia
  • otherlarge sweeping bracket line on left connecting to separator
· · ·

TỰ NHỦ

Ruot thit anh em dem co nam
Flesh-and-blood siblings, counting there are five
Ba thoi dat me da di nam
Father passed, and mother has gone five years
Tuy con hai mong nhung xa cach
Though two still live but far apart
Chang duoc nhin nhau cung thay cam
Unable to see each other, feeling touched
Nghi lai to suy vi dau nhi
Reflecting on the decline, why is it
Truong nam vi bai dung hay lam
The eldest son fails, don't dwell on it much
Thoi thi du thu ta hay cu
So then whatever, let us just
Co gang phuc hung tat ca tam
Strive to revive everything wholeheartedly
Ruot thit anh em dem co nam
Ba thoi dat me da di nam
Tuy con hai mong nhung xa cach
Chang duoc nhin nhau cung thay cam
Nghi lai to suy vi dau nhi
Truong nam vi bai dung hay lam
Thoi thi du thu ta hay cu
Co gang phuc hung tat ca tam
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • side_notenumerous handwritten diacritic corrections above the printed lines
· · ·

Tặng ông bà Cụ

Tu bi hy xa quy thay
Compassion, joy, equanimity, precious indeed
Lai them bac ai nuoc nay co ai
Plus charity, in this country who has it
Viec lam tu tuong ca hai
Deeds and thoughts, both
Cung la cu chi, khong sai chuyen gi
Are also gestures, nothing wrong at all
Tu nha chua chac do bi
Cultivating at home may not be worse
Thi tu con kem noi chi tu chua
If lay cultivation is lacking, then temple cultivation
Dau can phu quy nhu xua
No need for wealth as before
Dong tay de lai khap mua tieng thom
East and west leaving everywhere a fragrant name
Tu bi hy xa quy thay
Lai them bac ai nuoc nay co ai
Viec lam tu tuong ca hai
Cung la cu chi, khong sai chuyen gi
Tu nha chua chac do bi
Thi tu con kem noi chi tu chua
Dau can phu quy nhu xua
Dong tay de lai khap mua tieng thom
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. Tu bi hy xa — The Four Immeasurables in Buddhism: compassion, loving-kindness, joy, equanimity.
marginalia
  • side_notehandwritten diacritic corrections above several printed lines
· · ·

ĐỒNG CHÚC LAN THÁI

Sunday 9/3/97 · Plano, TX

Da lau khong gap ong ba
Long time not seeing grandpa and grandma
Hom nay may man hai nha gap nhau
Today fortunate the two families meet
Chuc cho Lan Thai sang giau
Wishing Lan Thai wealthy and prosperous
Cau cho ba chau them mau them tuoi
Praying the grandchildren grow rosier and fresher
Gia dinh luon no nu cuoi
Family always blooming with smiles
Cung la hanh phuc muoi muoi ven toan
Also happiness perfectly complete
Viec gi muon tinh muon toan
Whatever matter is well planned
Thanh cong tot dep chua chan vui xung
Success and beauty, brimming with joy
Da lau khong gap ong ba
Hom nay may man hai nha gap nhau
Chuc cho Lan Thai sang giau
Cau cho ba chau them mau them tuoi
Gia dinh luon no nu cuoi
Cung la hanh phuc muoi muoi ven toan
Viec gi muon tinh muon toan
Thanh cong tot dep chua chan vui xung
← swipe to switch language →
· · ·

KHUYÊN CON CHÁU

Cho hay muon su o doi
Know that all things in life
Nhan ma reo tot at thoi qua to
The seed sown well surely bears great fruit
Phai cham chiu kho biet lo
Must be diligent, endure hardship, know care
Dung kieu dung nan troi cho sang giau
Don't be proud or discouraged, heaven grants wealth
Muon cho phuc duc ben lau
Wanting blessing and virtue to endure
Tu bi giu dao lam dau quanh nam
Compassion, keeping the faith, being first all year
Thay nguoi ac y dung cam
Seeing malicious people, don't hate
That long hy xa an nam yen tam
Truly practicing equanimity, sleep and rest at peace
Cho hay muon su o doi
Nhan ma reo tot at thoi qua to
Phai cham chiu kho biet lo
Dung kieu dung nan troi cho sang giau
Muon cho phuc duc ben lau
Tu bi giu dao lam dau quanh nam
Thay nguoi ac y dung cam
That long hy xa an nam yen tam
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • side_notehandwritten diacritic corrections above printed lines
· · ·

Không đề

Pho co man lam co oi
The pho lacks flavor, oh madam
Banh nhieu thit it at thoi het ngon
Many noodles little meat, surely not tasty
Khach du nguoi lon tre con
Guests include adults and children
Pho co man lam co oi
Banh nhieu thit it at thoi het ngon
Khach du nguoi lon tre con
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughX drawn over 'thit it' and 'nguoi lon'
· · ·

Không đề

Jan 1, 1999 · Lake Jackson · Thanh-Phùng

Nguoi than nhat quyet truoc sau mot long
Closest kin resolved, before and after, one heart
Tam trong ma tri lai trong
Heart pure and mind also pure
Vi nhu phu xuong, phu tong, may ai
Like helping down and helping up, how few
Tram nam, that ngan khong dai
A hundred years, indeed not long
Tieng tam co mot, khong hai, con truyen
A single reputation, not two, still passed down
Nguoi than nhat quyet truoc sau mot long
Tam trong ma tri lai trong
Vi nhu phu xuong, phu tong, may ai
Tram nam, that ngan khong dai
Tieng tam co mot, khong hai, con truyen
← swipe to switch language →
marginalia
  • strikethroughmultiple vertical strikes crossing the stanza
· · ·

83

Nov 7, 1999 · Lake Jackson · Thuan Dixit

Tam Ba dau duoc bao gia
Father, how old are you
Chi hon tam chuc co ba nam troi
Just over eighty by three years
Neu so voi be voi doi
If compared to a raft on the sea
Tam Ba rat tre nu cuoi hong duyen
Father is quite young, a rosy charming smile
Neu so voi luat dan chien
If compared to the law of evolution
Tram hai chin tuoi cao nien co nguoi
A hundred twenty-nine years, some elders exist
Tam Ba chi moi nua doi
Father is only halfway
Treadmill ta tap tam hoi ta vui
On the treadmill we exercise, refreshed and happy
Tam Ba la tuoi tuoi cuoi
Father's age is a fresh laughing age
Tri ta van sang suc ta van muoi
Our mind still bright, our strength still full
Tam Ba ghen muon ai oi
Father is envied by whom oh
Hoc khong phai hoc lam khong phai lam
Study not really study, work not really work
Chau con loc co mot dan
Grandchildren and children, a whole flock
Thuong phone tham hoi yeu thuong mot long
Loving, phoning to inquire, loving with one heart
Cau xin Chua Phat Thanh Dong
Praying to God, Buddha, and the Saints
Ban them Bon Say ky nien cho nguoi
Grant more decades of years to you
Tam Ba dau duoc bao gia
Chi hon tam chuc co ba nam troi
Neu so voi be voi doi
Tam Ba rat tre nu cuoi hong duyen
Neu so voi luat dan chien
Tram hai chin tuoi cao nien co nguoi
Tam Ba chi moi nua doi
Treadmill ta tap tam hoi ta vui
Tam Ba la tuoi tuoi cuoi
Tri ta van sang suc ta van muoi
Tam Ba ghen muon ai oi
Hoc khong phai hoc lam khong phai lam
Chau con loc co mot dan
Thuong phone tham hoi yeu thuong mot long
Cau xin Chua Phat Thanh Dong
Ban them Bon Say ky nien cho nguoi
← swipe to switch language →
footnotes
  1. Thuan Dixit — Author of this poem, apparently a daughter (different from Thanh Phung).
  2. Bon Say — Likely 'bốn sáu' or a play on numbers for years/decades of longevity.
marginalia
  • otherhandwritten intro in parentheses above title: 'Tho Thuan tang Bo hom Bo duoc 83 tuoi, Nov 7, 1999' with arrow — Poem by Thuan honoring Father on his 83rd birthday, Nov 7, 1999
Original manuscript
original scan