Born a daughter in the house

When of age, married off to build a home

If in the same homeland it's a picture

Later grandchildren, same scenery, same tree

Still hoping, forever reunited

Still much affection, shown full and warm

Married off, foreign scene becomes far

Far now, far forever, surely a parting

When there's trouble, when you need

Want someone to confide in, hardly any left

All around seeing rosy color

All good-omen color, marrying children off why

Far from father, far from mother tears surge

She goes away, bustling with feelings

If father, uncle had only oneself

It would not be easy to send word, surely bitter!

Marrying off, when done, this matter now

Must think carefully, avoid bitterness in old age!

So much effort taken back to America

In order to care for aged father near a hundred

Help more for mother stand the years

Wishing a hundred years, months growing weak

Sitting long, father just parted his lips

"Ask Liên to print for me the poems written long ago"

Liên says: "Strength there is plenty

Wishing to repay father's toil, I clearly know

If not, Liên will

Then father, Liên will readily slip away"

Thank heaven for helping me

To eat, to sleep, don't sit complaining

Girls and boys, children and grandchildren aplenty

Each one, their task, no complaint no poverty

Living far, old ways still followed

Taking turns to visit, over hills without complaint

Brother Phụng eldest, all around

Not hesitant, took turns to visit

Brother went, resting at Sơn's pair

With George visiting, when a bit older

So many happy days coming and going

Chatting, new and old, wishes once held

February soon comes behind

Thuận comes with lights, festive welcoming spring

Thủy Phong always nearby

Always coming often, Sơn outside in the house

So whether near or far

But diligent in visiting, that is precious

Thank heaven for helping me now

Heart always remembering, release here life's tale

Miss you, miss so much, dear Tại!

Miss the days, miss the months, miss for a lifetime

Missing then, tears flow, staining both cheeks

Thinking of the one still here, tears fall again

One goes, one stays, why so sad

Let go the hand, close the eyes, that means departing

When will we meet again, the heart yearns

Is this perhaps the final hour, in the [?]

A hundred years, in a flash, no more

One extra minute of staying, is not favored

Then must accept, following Buddha's teaching

Must comply, must follow, don't speak carelessly

In everyone there is the word 'SELF'

Wisdom must the word self, the word me

Within oneself, if not careful, all a mess

Self too heavy, breeds daily upheaval

Know reason, distinguish night and day

Live rightly, avoid hands touching mud

Growing a tree, must hoe, must tend

Each one's task, that person's, don't shove and ruin

Life's affairs already clear, already plain

The word self, the word love, avoiding hands but touching

Oh joy, brother has come to visit

To celebrate parents standing the years near a hundred

Brother's affection is truly so deep and warm

Brother too is already eighty years old

The place where brother lives, oh so far

Brother's heart so precious, restless, remembering long

Mother and father now only strive to pray

Pray heaven to bless to a hundred years

Hoping to realize a lifelong dream

Full happiness that mother hopes for

Thank you, Vũ and Công

for making Phong a rosy pair for a hundred years

Rejoicing, and moreover like a great hall of lights

a doctorate, elixir already at hand

husband and wife always able to live in this life

the family, life's stream flows

Ceaselessly hoping to be rosy red

the craft handed down

Pray for full strength throughout life

the families able to live like a dream

like a people united, no fear of drifting apart

granted blessing, fortune, longevity, wealth

ceaselessly hoping long and lasting so then

Grateful to whoever helped my body

To be at peace, healthy, standing waiting and hoping

Grateful to whoever helped my heart

Year round doing good, mind clear, living kindly

Tuệ Minh, granted more, would be an immortal

All three wishes, ceaseless, have come true

Father and mother nurtured, birth-giving merit

The people helped build good and dreams

Temples, the Three Jewels, from here

Must revere, must honor, east and west, worship

In this world so many suffering

Some mute, some deaf, dim eyes, sick

So many tears flowing, headaches

Hoping whoever with good heart, in Buddha-worship state

Help the people, help the country, a dream

Practice it and get the reminder awaited

From afar, you have come home

So much effort, so much wealth, heart full of Buddha-mind

Helping father, helping mother, just right

Five thousand [?] dancing, echoing all life

Hygiene, bathing, clean

Medicine on time, [?]

Clothes changed, medicine long, pain gone

Eating drinking on schedule, remembered for life

Even in scorching heat, falling rain

Never any fear under the Stars-and-Stripes sky

In the house air-conditioned

Food carefully restricted so as to be healthy

Hearing scriptures, the Buddha fresh and clear

Friends dear, smiling with delight

Grandchildren and children, when coming and going

All alike inquire, nothing to reproach

Child returns then leaves again

Being near, you help not out of difficulty

You are not afraid of hardship

Morning and evening you help exactly right

When sad we must share together

When happy we too rejoice together

Like father, not fond of money or wealth

Compassionate and charitable, through the night the young child

Meeting now, truly a dream come true

Then later meet again or wait for the next life

Mother and father's hair has changed color

Late night, hard to sleep, awake all night through

You go, father misses, misses long

The bond of father and child, long days remembered

The bond of mother and child in mind

Surely you lie awake, all night missing too

Be happy, let us rejoice together

While you get to live, let us live joyfully!

War and chaos, tragic

family scattered, to return to whom

Settling, days wide months long

only Buddha's remains, soon to rely on

Having faith, please do not ignore

renovate the meditation hall, widen the place of worship

Reminding each other, sweet and gentle

contribute effort, wealth, contribute more or less

contribute enough to cover expenses

contribute then contribute more, a thing to mind

Indifference is a great mistake

Must together pay heed, arouse the bodhi-mind

That life stays firm because of the dike

Trúc Lâm looks toward the Buddha-mind

Or you, youngest sibling, here

Words before leaving, she left this message

"The youngest of my house is now weak

Fame in poetry, temperament truly innocent

Please help her, for me

Yearning to beg, this generosity

Remember, dear brother, don't abandon

Reserve time for the youngest, awaited so!"

(Dedicated to L.V.Dũng + L.V.Duyệt)

Looking at the grave, the heart tightens

Only see flowers, not seeing anyone!

Earth all covers, sealing the whole form

The past gone, who remains in the present

Mother and father of old, now no more

In the hour of the Tiger waiting, glance at dawn then noon

Waiting long, sad, know the way to turn back

Let go the hands, smoothly so the will just settles

Long since not receiving news

From dear trusted Công, a thousand miles apart

Hoping the friend is still at peace

Family warm, nothing to worry the heart

Wife and children still at ease

Father and mother still within loving joy

Comrades of Bát village, fragrant

The ceramics trade, proudly advancing steadily

The future beautiful like embroidered art

Transport open and easy, smooth the road

Children, youths coming of age

Study while going to practice

Those who are uncles, elders

set an example for the young, good things learned wisely

Hoping whoever old and weak be cherished

so children and grandchildren may endure and thrive