Christmas is this noon today

If children come late, oh what a busy day!

Father is now eighty-eight years old

Luckily the nursing home has a place for father to rest

We all wish to come and visit

Though we visit at different times, it is still warm and fresh

Wishing father to rest well and smile happily

To add to his lifespan, to brighten his old age

Praying heaven to bless our family

To keep father healthy, living truly happy

The twenty-third, the morning has passed

Let father know clearly, how far the matter has gone

No news, father feels a headache

Surely the matter fell through, badly, avoided discussing

Family cannot get involved

Whatever the ruling, one must bear it, the worldly heart aches

Day and night, longing, wishing and praying

Heaven has not yet granted, the situation must wait

Praise to President Obama

On Thanksgiving Day, releasing the turkey to live

Thanks to heaven and Buddha showing compassion

For the first time a president reveals himself to the turkey

This order has just been issued

The turkey rejoices, how immensely so

Wishing that America and its people

No longer kill turkeys, may the wish come true

The earth with so many mountains and hills

So many rivers and seas, still round and still spinning

Spinning for so many centuries until now

And it will spin still more, who knows for certain?

So many plants and grasses lean and rely

So many animals, impermanent and changing

In the sky birds fly today

In the water fish swim, whole schools swimming eagerly

Buffalo, cattle with horses, geese and ducks

Everywhere seen, life abounding here and there

Humankind who knows to think, gather in joy

Knows to transform nature to build golden dreams

Alas, life is left unfinished

A hundred years at most, gently returning to the beyond

And so the silent life ends

And so this lifetime [?]

Loving grandfather, I stroke his feet

After stroking I see scars, joy not ended

Grandfather's feet again have a strong smell

The smell of age, [?], [?], [?]

Here I am, enduring the bitterness, mouth clenched

Please grandfather, do not misunderstand my heart

Wishing grandfather to be cured

Long socks, I help, my heart helps the elder

Regarding grandfather like mother, like father

Wishing grandfather thinks of me as his own child

A precious kind heart, in harmony

Wishing Heaven bless, Nhị has done so much

Asking about the person, tall and slender

Black hair, white skin, and a slender nose

Silkworm eyebrows, phoenix eyes, round chin

Even teeth pure white, red lips, smiling mouth

Walk relaxed, face cheerful

Speaking politely, everyone admires and looks up

How beautiful the pink dress

How precious the beautiful life one wants to gaze at forever

Work done to completion without error

Time to go, time to come, one knows the talent is right

Everyone knows this lady

Lady Nhị, a Vietnamese, always pure and good

Your phở is so delicious, miss!

Broth clear, noodles white, meat so plentiful

Herbs fragrant, scallions in abundance

Phở delicious and hot, eating with delight warms the heart

Chili, pepper, as one pleases, whoever wishes

Along with the dipping sauce, fresh lemon desired

After eating, chatting peacefully

Leaving, the heart still [?]

Remembering the shop owner's bright smile

Next time eating again, delighting others and oneself