People celebrate and praise Father's Day

But I have no Father's Day at all

Ask the mother quietly why

Is it that virtue lacked, the womb became empty

Or is it that the temperaments disagreed

Or is it illness, no more hope, no more waiting

Father's Day, truly forlorn

Father's Day yet feeling weary and sad

My child agreed, coaxed in vain

At home warm blankets, mattress and bed yet disdained

Temperament truly like a rough clown

Arriving at the wild forest, the heart grows numb

Going far, neck sore, back bent

Spending money, spending strength, hoping to spend more on gas

Thought that camping would be peaceful

Who knew it gained no benefit at all

Told to go, I went along too

Having gone, honestly, I'll avoid it next time

Received news that the lady has passed away

Bowels aching as if severed, where is the gentle friend now

Grandchildren and children downcast and mournful

Village above and hamlet below, drizzling rain remembering endlessly

The lady's nature, honest, single-minded

The lady's nature, pure, through long years the children record

Wishing the lady, whatever she prayed for

May Buddha and Heaven save her, the lady departs content

Philadelphia, cold sky, snow flying

Switched to go to Vegas, this region is warmer

How joyful the sound of music and strings

Body healthy, mind healthy, where is any sorrow

Gathering to compete, staying long

If not satisfied, feeling glum then leave

Wishing there were no troubles at all

No worrying, no thinking, no endless business

Hạnh is nine years old this year

Father's merit, mother's love, deep grace as high as mountains

Keep in mind, at any time

Repay merit, return love, remember the labor of raising for life

Even through rain and sun, tattered

Even through cold, all life never forgetting

Determined, the word filial piety must be repaid

Even through hardship, elders must be honored

Success does not come by indifference

Day and night, through the years, one must commit oneself

Diligent, attentive, and industrious

On the road step by step, for the people and the family

Look near, then look far

Wisdom sought out, foolish evil cast away

Weigh the light copper and heavy lead

Fragrant name leaves reputation, sorrow leaves a legacy

Compassion, tact, sympathy

Sincerity, charity, then life will be at peace

Heard the news you just had leg surgery

Wishing you a quick recovery, then gradually feeling well

Mother and father are also very sorrowful

Only praying you may, at this sorrowful time

After rain, the sky is sunny again right away

Wife, children and grandchildren, day and night feel at peace

The family sends warm wishes

Health and well-being restored, awaiting in abundance

Heard the news that Thủy just informed

You just had eye surgery, this is the second time

But the doctor lacks skill

Could not fix it, and erred more than before

If you only see the trouble

Making you annoyed, adding to feeling less bright

Wishing you would just keep smiling

Then go for another examination, and the person will do

The family prays morning and noon

For you to be truly healed, truly to your satisfaction

Worthy of the lineage, oh Nguyễn Thắng

Train the body, train the mind, train the heart

So much effort, aiming for perfection

Radiant and famous, everywhere

Nineteen green springs, in the age of dreams

Bracing oneself, trying more, learning is profit

Someday, fame achieved, success arrives

None can compare, none to help playfully

Who long cared for father

Day and night visiting, when was it ever forgotten

The child's heart repays, the debt of gratitude is returned

Father here always remembers, keeping it in this heart

The child does not spread the flowing grace

But the noble heart has been revealed

Now the child must go far away

The father-child bond, how few in the land

The child leaves, grey sky, snow flying

Grass and trees droop, father now sheds tears

Soon, father will depart from life

Lacking someone to care, lacking a place to rely on

Strangers, plain water, indifferent

Sighing for hire, crying for pay, false sympathy only

Wishing the child, to often brighten the garden of life

Wishing the child fresh and lovely, having position, having thought

The sun rises in the east

Grass, trees and creatures, turned rosy and fresh

The common folk also open a smile

Husband, wife and children, truly cheerful set out

The scene departs, how remembered, how loved

Life's mulberry-sea changes, are but ordinary

Wishing for sunny brightness in the garden of life

Spring water, the stream flows, the boat drifts to shore

This Lộc, born of father and mother

This Lộc, loved by grandmother and grandfather

This Lộc, gentle, belonging to the husband

This Lộc, Heaven blesses, so nothing is amiss

Now, whatever Lộc wants

Whatever wanted is obtained, whatever prayed for granted at once

Praying to Heaven for health night and day

The family happy, truly fortunate, truly joyful

Scholar and farmer come from there

Craftsman and merchant, who says, is not a common path

Mandarins, soldiers, heroes

Also of one ancestor, speaking of five kinds of people

When out, there is no bright smile

When in, silver nine, gold ten, gleeful

A hundred loves, at arrival, at departure

A thousand loves, keepsakes, still moving about endlessly

What is it that resembles an elephant's snout

What has a sill, a spout, a den

What can grasp, without claws

What is plump, has a membrane, has a head

What is narrow-pure, shallow-deep

What is six-limbed, must build a bridge to cross

What likes the coconut fruit

What serves as official to govern the world

Rarely does a friend come to visit the house

The wife then asks the friend, the shop is not far

Where is a pond ready to cast nets

The garden has only flowers, no chickens

Drinks and food, none stocked ready

Having spoken bluntly, done with hesitation

Drink shops, eating shops, plentiful near the yard

Going there abundant, so delicious

Father being a doctor is joyful

Child being a doctor, indifferent to life's matters

The child eats and drinks plenty

Father eats in hardship, who invites him a bite

Is the daughter-in-law a new fairy

Father then scrimps, hardship spread everywhere

Having money, the child there, the child here

When can it be repaid, this filial piety, that debt

Planting a tree, bearing fruit is ordinary

Planting vegetables, picking leaves, along the ditch, is what

Raising people, the merit is no different

Long and hard, waiting sorrowful, more of a loss

Through the years, toiling standing worn

Success achieved, being able to help, who is happier

Helping make life beautiful, that's all

Helping make a new life, more grace more flowers

Old people being confused is normal

Don't mock, don't blame, that is to love the elderly

Speak words of greeting to mother and father

Also aunts and uncles, that is true kinship

Months and years flow by gradually

The elderly, relatives, need dutiful children

Grandchildren and children build the country

The elderly find joy, wearily awaiting

Where are heaven and hell

They are in our heart, don't seek them afar

Come to the temple, follow Amitabha's footsteps

How to attain liberation, and we are happy

Compassion, joy and letting go, a complete pair

The four minds, charity, present, more solemn

Why do we live peacefully

Because we have made the gentle bond of the home

Day and night having an altruistic mind

Help others first, help oneself last

Whatever benefits the common good

Shared effort, shared wealth, also joining hearts

Good deeds, keep them quiet

One's own heart, oneself knows, the Buddha-mind knows at once

To do so is to be an immortal

To do so, every region enjoys peace

The Buddha fully has appeared upon the altar

In the rising incense smoke, the candle melts becoming pure

Gathering the prayers through the five night-watches

Filial vows and heartfelt vows, study and practice

Human life is a sea of suffering, so practice

Practice truly, Winter Autumn, Buddha returns

Buddha returns, to examine, to appraise

To advise to continue, the theme of the Buddha-mind

I did not attack your country

Why do you cross mountains, over fields, to attack me

To behave like that is base

Such a human heart, the thunder god strikes at once

Are you mad, foolish, or crazy

Wasting effort, wealth, money, harming oneself

A message to you, a few earnest words

Wanting peace, keep the country, keep the self, and be happy

On the outside, dressed sharp

On the inside, how is it, how is it, who knows

On the outside, the house, on display

On the inside hardship, until now, who imagined

On the outside, the car runs, has a horn

On the inside, craving, only hoping for dollars

On the outside, shouting, opposing us

On the inside sinister, the very demon is oneself

When returning, be careful, watch out

Papers, money, don't display them outside

Villains, taking the chance to show off

Rob everything, pleading is of no use

Also don't make empty promises, boastful promises

If not understood clearly, brush it off entirely

Father and child, don't let anyone drag you

Should take care, don't ignore each other

This flower is truly a flower of a tree

Cultivating the heart, accumulating virtue, this tree blooms

This flower symbolizes peace and harmony

True affection, those far and those near

Praying for more longevity, more closeness

Health and peace, blessings, the Tần season, passing Ngô

Wealth like gushing water

Smooth in every aspect, far and near standing in place

Remember who, we were born

Remember who nurtured us, making us like this

Whose merit let us study until now

Thanks to whom's building, today enjoying the reward

Now becoming wife, becoming husband

How to repay filial duty, father watches, mother waits

Our fate is not forlorn

Crossing the river, we reach the shore, how precious

Vowing that, sooner or later

Debt repaid, grace returned, must do with one's own hands

Joyful giving, compassion, just as if changed

Set an example ahead, all through night and day

Silent breath, quiet voice, no flaring, no oozing

Gently reminding, advising, achieving is good

Patiently reminding, no scorn, is best

The human heart at times, easily reveals itself

Ask the person hesitating too much, bring your heart to help

Charity is sweet dew, how precious

Growing up, only then knowing father's merit

Mother's grace, is also great

Lying at night, skin stinging as if scraped

Repay the raising, how at this time

A job, not yet firm in hand

Money not yet earned, this hand must earn it

Help father, help mother, help grandmother

The future surely, is what we must do

Sisters, there are only the two of us

Living apart, the heart has missed so

Sister here, work steady as stars

And you, plans, wishes, what are they?

Now, you speak up

If sister can help, whatever help, help right away

At least, you must explain

With mother and father helping, then luckily the work succeeds

Please father, don't suffer over anyone

The school of life so long, is a good lesson

Knowing father, toils, night and day

But father suffers too much, can the wind sway

Family, society, how worn

Fearing power, if any, who then, loves

Wishing father would change his way

The road so long, bring love back

Clothes suddenly dirty, wash them away

Sisters make mistakes, let go for the sake of loved ones

Use gentle sweet words to advise repeatedly

Then it will sink in; discard the readiness to sulk

Remember together, friendliness goes hand in hand

Together the word 'grudge', once dropped, brings joy

Live so like [?] sugarcane

Always fragrant, advancing or retreating without complaint

Help me with 'money', no no

Help me with 'empty fame', can the pink life be attained

Help me with 'high-rises, cars and ships'

No no, don't want, worries piling up

Born with nothing, dying returns to nothing

Wish for what, fish in a bowl, bird in a cage, suffering self

I wish for 'kind caring words'

I pray for 'trustworthiness, outside the yard, inside the house'

Living life, we all become ghosts

Only 'trustworthiness' remains eternal

Life a sea of suffering, why

It is 'money, fame, beauty', that starts the entanglement

Once caught, one is already lost

The more greedy, the more entangled

Once winning, then more pride

If unlucky loss, damage, then risk one's life

The word trust gradually unravels it

No entanglement, no attachment, then the mind is at ease

Being far from home is a sad, painful state

Only true sincerity remains, forget sorrow, find joy

Far from homeland, the heart feels melancholy

Sharing feelings with friends eases the sadness

Old age, often feels sorry, tears flow

Right measure, restraint, is the source of self-doubt

Thanh Hồ, good friends, who can compare

Help the temple, help friends, so often mature

On Mother's Day of grass and flowers,

Đoàn / Lê send a gift box, presenting to mother

So mother eats with friends

Joy for the effort of birthing and raising, sheltering all life

In old age, mother please rest

Eat, enjoy, the heaven's blessings poured out

Crossing the river, remember there's a boat

Remember the boat, children get full and complete

Grandparents received the photo

Plus the words of wishes, oh how truly glad

Pray that work prospers

Wish that reputation is fragrant everywhere

Hope for health and joyful life

Two children Khau Khiêh, live harmoniously

Have another little boy, making 3

The couple happier, grandparents feel joy

After the year of Bến Hải, the mountains and rivers split

An - Tiên, born, in our country

Swiftly, this year, fifty years old

One wife, three children, already clear

Working hard, never tiring

Wholeheartedly helping, the whole family

This heart, virtue, superiors know

Not for show, jade-like traits

Often godless, forgetting main duties

Three children, still lacking, less than grandparents

Should know how to think, more needed than father

Only used here, has blessing ah!

Glad that, know the family name, know the name now

The purpose of exchange, just to understand

Where is the hometown, and age

Let me know, there will be a reply

A bit curious, not useless

How was the past, living a life

How many children, still must help

Parents' longevity, how much now

The past is over, let it go

Please don't cling, why hold on

The ashes, if stirred, add more sorrow

Erase the blacklist, don't regret anything

Forgive and please don't hold grudges

A bright future, go find it

Then the later fortune, much good news

Good for all of us, don't compare

My name, people call, correct not wrong

Sea of suffering, therefore, must run far

America, migration, so much hardship

Now, age already, about to say bye bye

The four parents, no longer here

Siblings, gone to the afterlife, none left

Grandchildren, numerous, over fifty

Thank heaven, no gambling with cards

Days and months, cherished friends

Sharing sorrow and joy, hiding nothing

Suddenly, Minh left

Also for livelihood, also for the children

Anyway the friendship still remains

Parting two ways, mountains remember forever

One leaves, one stays, missing someone

Missing a good friend, the long days hard to forget

Last month, I came to visit her

She looks healthy, complexion rosy

Yet, suddenly, why the illness

Heart pain, hard to breathe, must enter the hospital

The medical field clearly sees abnormality

The heart valve three arteries, too damaged now

Therefore must operate right away

Progress too slow, [?], every risk

Met the doctor, met the medicine, good hour

Cured perfectly, nothing missed

The whole family serves attentively

Now leaving the hospital, that's truly lucky

Living kindly, heaven repays

Remember gratitude forever, God above blesses

Thank you grandchild for wishing grandfather

Long healthy life, endless years

The sky's moon bright beautiful on the full-moon night

Grandfather loves grandchild so, years, waiting

Good grandchild, beautiful grandchild, oh dear

Wish the grandchild happiness, all life more happiness

Heaven grant gentle happiness

Pray that Hanh forever more beautiful and rich

(On the occasion of Mrs. Đỗ thị Hạnh passing on 6-11-07)

Oh Mrs. Thị Hạnh, my dear!

How could you leave, not staying in life

Leaving behind husband and children, so much longing

Oh love, oh devotion, oh fate!

When will we meet again, the sky dark and grim

Remember forever your name, Thị Hạnh oh

Living or dead, wise and sacred, protect and bless

Oh Mrs. Thị Hạnh, my dear.

Sky sorrowful, wind grim, rain falls.

Cry for the person named Hanh, passing this season

Husband and children, dejected, day and night

Relatives and kin, eyes stinging, tears overflowing

Her merit vast as the sea, high as the sky

Why not stay, instead enter the underworld

Friends and neighbors whisper,

Mourn the person of the Đỗ family, echoing through days

Discuss back and forth, eyes stinging

Hope the person is liberated, the husband fasts purely

In the past, she lived kindly

Now naturally receives heaven's blessing

Hope she departs peacefully

Wish her fulfilled, life's journey complete.

Life's affairs have been settled

A thousand autumns of peaceful sleep, oh well, fulfilled

Hope the husband stays and finds good fate

Hope children, grandchildren, meet good stories

A few words, expressing this heart

Gratitude to those who helped, ever devoted in the mortal world

Parting, remember forever loved ones

Wish those who stay, near or far

Wish those far in the homeland

Also America, loving us so much

Now I must go to the West

Wish those who stay, joyful and at peace together.

You left, swiftly, already 7 weeks

Leaving husband, children, and grandchildren, kin

Gloomy sky and clouds, too dark

Grass and trees, birds and fish, sorrowful tears ring

Fold hands praying to Buddha, please have mercy to the end

Loved before, in the mortal world

Fate ended now, please save

Return to heaven, hope to be blessed and guided

She passed, it is the work of Heaven ah!

Finished the debt of earthly fate, that is a blessing

Even if there is struggle, Buddha teaches so

Only pray the soul soon ascends

Sincere heart, vows, eating vegetarian fully

Keeping precepts somehow, in the right spirit

Whoever dies, whoever remains, all suffer loss

That is exactly Heaven's will ah

Thank children and grandchildren for giving poems

Praise the body healthy, the poetic mind of faith

Trust children, trust grandchildren, look skillfully

Try by yourself, don't rely on others

Eat skillfully, dress skillfully, that's all

Swaying, foolish waste, gets laughed at, gets criticized

Train the body, contemplate love, still the issue

Train the mind, refined, books listed, at bedside

The mind unrefined, loses its fragrance

Hope children, grandchildren, follow the good path

Life's road, up mountains, down passes

Anger and delusion must be avoided, don't be stingy

Kindness, charity, should be noted

The word love, the word filial piety, to make up for loss

A year has only 4 seasons

Every season is precious, must keep up with others

Hope for a beautiful life, a fresh life

Wellbeing, prosperity, tenfold fortune, hundredfold blessing

Thank you child for giving a poem

A poem for the birthday, father is honored

Trouble passed, now living peacefully

Eat well, sleep well, calm mornings, flowery nights

Eighty-five, already ended, oh heaven

Stepping into 86, truly precious

Joy with children, joy with grandchildren day and night

Heaven bestows, Buddha loves, repayment clear

I am traveling in America

Open the computer to look, see what's there

Then see the reply from Đỗ Đạt

But still not clear about anything more

Where, age, and profession

Family circumstances how, happy or sad

Parents, hope, still healthy

Future, hope, what do you wish

Currently, living where

Comfortable livelihood, or headache

Over the years, does anyone help care for you

Or are you lonely, all through the night

In the heart intending to find more friends

Female or male friend, to share sorrow

Fate or what, that arises

Full of spring, ninety, no worries

Life's stories, are stories with limits

Near or far, doesn't matter, friends in pairs

Gathering feelings, gathering temperament, standing sitting

Stories told fluently, sit and tell what

Folk songs, proverbs, whatever stories

Time after time, ceaseless, laughing, satisfied

European stories, Asian stories, not easy

Speak up, to satisfy, colorful, conversation

Money to spend, if enough, no more worry

Whatever stories, just tell, sing, then it's fun.

Thu Trang, very pretty, already turned three

Younger sister, Thu Vân, also charming

Sixteen months already, so fast right

Both bright, like flowers

Pray to heaven, soon, add a little boy

Sticky and plain rice equal, only then happy

Try hard, it's not too late

Once late, if you want, hard to get ah.

Grandmother here, already received the letter

Mother's Day, grandchild is glad, so happy

Grandchild young, grandmother old, still remembered

That is the merit, of our Phung

Grandmother here, also wishes, for you

Healthy, successful, standing and sitting

Hardworking, diligent, and advancing

Fruits harvested later, will come in pairs.

Thank you for the kind gesture, giving orchids

Filial there, loyal here, no need to discuss

Mother passed, regard me like her own mother

This feeling, not yet understood, knows the heart

Wish sons and daughters, along with in-laws

Harmony present, more concord, blessings overflow

Serve later, many fruits harvested

This merit, by God, has been repaid.

How, how does the opening go?

Now that lady, coming and going, are you well?

Wish for full recovery, rosy skin

Good work and job, father watches, mother waits

Pray for the dream to be fulfilled

The boat reaches the dock, the shore, safe and lovely

Rich in heart, not afraid of poverty

Heaven's blessing protects, ten thousand troubles end at once.

One boy, one girl, that's enough ah!

Please advise, children young, still, have more

When, children more plentiful

Only then truly, warm comfort of home

If not, falling behind others

Family however, surely, not happy

Want to add, color, add fragrance

More children, more wealth, no bad luck, no worry

Have father, have mother here

Have brothers, have sisters, gathered nearby

Over the years, filial repaid, gratitude returned

Have children, money sent, truly luckier than others

Time abundant becomes fresh

Doing business is easy, tenfold fortune becomes 100

Looking at the moon on full-moon nights

The parents' toil, remember forever, year-round, remember always

Night and day, mother helps us children

Morning, noon, mother also, or the children help father

Whoever calls, has helped the father

Help older brother, older sister, also help younger sibling

Time, money, effort added

This kindness remembered forever, noted very much

Better than others, mother has no pride

Fragrant scent leaving reputation, many prosperous things

Hearing news grandmother just came to visit

Grandchild respectfully sends a few words of greeting

Glad grandmother has enough, to eat and rest

Peaceful, healthy, over 100, ten-thousand people

In form, grandmother still looks fresh

Gait still steady, like meeting a ten-year-old youth

Wish the tree, firm root, firm branch

Family's great shade, through the night nights relied upon

Heaven, gave you already handsome

Also speaks well, humorous, charming

Sometimes singing, sometimes music, sometimes leading

Speaking of culture, truly professional in the craft

If not competing then let it be

Once on stage, that's right, you're the best

Your nature, living gentle and kind

Your wife, praising warmly, admires you so much

Oh money, oh beauty, oh fame

You harm so many people, throughout their whole life

Turned face, arrogant, embracing a shadow

Letting go the mortal eyes, still adrift

The wisdom, the precious, who has known

It lies within the heart, doesn't come along

The word trust, the word diligence, are foremost

Cultivate the heart, keep the nature, remember never to slacken

Compassion, charity, achieve

Perseverance, hardworking, placed above in this part

Even if not knowing, not aware

Content to endure, not showing to anyone

Hoping the world is wise

I alone accept hardship, near future not hoping

My heart, determined, brave within

Let flowers bloom in profusion, let the heart be at ease

People have mother, have father

Though I have a mother, yet still orphaned

Born already with a disability

Cannot stand or walk, each time awkward

Family members, above and below, all together

All pity the situation of disability and suffering

Unfortunately, each situation a different hue

Must click the tongue, before and after it is fate

People marry a wife for joy

For me it's a debt, sorrowful tears fall

Lying at night, pondering, life's affairs

Some things too happy, some things too sad

Having thought, tears pour down

Heaven pities, heaven says, don't be sad anymore

Living with virtue is incomparable

Reward you four words: "Still then wealthy"

Waking up, feeling how happy

All day happy always, no more clawing at the guts

Mother and father have passed away

Siblings still have a gentle sibling with you

Hearing news of examination judgment not good

Lying awake at night, five watches thinking endlessly

Pray to Heaven, pray to Buddha to have pity

Bless the person to recover quickly, long life added

Wish for the person to live peacefully

His wife and children also gain more blessing

Old father, need not return to heaven

Old mother, must return to the nine springs (afterlife)

Luckily we still have the bond

To visit parents, is our right

Autumn comes, leaves change color

When winter comes, leaves turn yellow

Yellow leaves, leaves fall this way and that

The tree top still has leaves, tears wet the eyelashes more

Thanh Hồ, what does it mean

Water not pure and clear, cannot compare to a clear lake

A clear lake has clear green water

Having a heart devoted to Buddha, becomes named Thanh Hồ

Even the villages of the old capital

Have a serene lake, that lake, Hồ Thanh

The clear lake liberates and becomes pure

Change name, change age, reputation of Cam Lồ

Your skin, jade white, ivory white

Cheeks and lips glowing red, like the crabapple flower

Silken hair soft and thin like mist

Eyes shining black, heart imagining with whom

Teeth even, like pearls, graceful

Graceful gait, one day wealthy

In living, considerate before and after

Looking at you forever, one shade of missing you

Escorting the deceased, then thinking of oneself

Old age declining, surely the end of life

Mountains and rivers, layer upon layer

Why not share, when together as a pair

Until flesh rots, bones separate

However much love, cannot reach each other

Loving each other, no account of poor or rich

Thoughts as one, before and after then lasting

Seventy-five, that year the fourth month

Twenty-three, an odd day, parted from loved ones

Leaving, guts aching as if pounded

Leaving home, leaving work, mind divided and confused

Leaving, not a matter of play

So many dangers, how could it be safe

Looking to the sky, only crying for help to the Moon

Out to sea, the Moon says, the lighthouse saves people

Not going, not knowing America

Having gone, not knowing what to do here

Looking up, only see clouds

Looking around only see trees and houses

This house is not ours

But staying temporarily to console oneself

In exile from this moment

Hoping for brightness, here for what one wishes

This rose is truly a rose plant

Cultivating the heart accumulating virtue, this rose blooms

This rose expresses peace and harmony

The love of Lynn Phạm, sent from afar

Fragrant scent, overwhelmingly through the mist

Green leaves, red flowers, a sea full of love

Whenever ready to set off

A beautiful far journey, that's the flavor already

Those who remember rudely, big mouth

Wherever they go loud, like a jar of a large vessel

Friends avoid the tiger's mouth

If not yielding, chaos, whose fault

Loss and gain, gain and loss, what benefit

Whoever praises, argues, contends with one another

What good in arguing, words demanding of each other

Loving each other arguing words before and after will end

Christmas has arrived again

Lights strung, flowers arranged, from place to street

Not yet gone, not yet arrived in the mist

The Lord loves, the Lord says, shows the way to follow

The Lord does not distinguish rich or poor

The Lord always grants blessings, easy to follow easy to do

The Lord advises, northeast southwest

Should sow good seeds then abundant dew and fullness

The child has been sick too long

Night and day awaiting, the child prays to the Lord for mercy

Grace from above grants blessings to enjoy

Let the child fully recover, end the entangled sorrow

Months and years awake through the night

Whenever moved in prayer, the Lord grants a miracle

The child reaches the shore relying on the boat

That is a great blessing, the Lord grants for a lifetime to remember

The child in pain still prays, oh Lord

Whoever goes to the province of C-ville

Let me convey a few words to Minh

That is the second-youngest of the family

Just newly settled, miscellaneous things not yet clear

Place to eat, place to stay, still lingering

How to make everything, every path good

Wish for happiness gathered together

Pray for good things, all encompassing and broad

Heaven gave, 3 girls, 5 boys

Some in the homeland, some outside the homeland

War, separated on two paths

Half loving the fatherland, half loving family

Even if bodies are far away

Deep blood-kin love, is still hard to forget

Children and grandchildren, repay duty, return kindness

Determined to unite, to build up a legacy

Miss Hòa, has finished naturalization

Elderly pension received, at the time rejoicing

Heaven grants luck arriving just right

Girls and boys, having work, gaining good reputation

Now bringing honor and pride

Boys now have wives, girls now have husbands

Thanks to heaven, thanks to earth, thanks to ancestors

Passing through the smoke and fire, still rosy arriving

My poems, without diacritics, for many years

So, when sent, easy to misunderstand

I wish, I hope, someone can invent

Printed letters with diacritics, read without mistake

Heaven prompted, earth directed, Loan helped

The person told her husband, who had the heart

Wearing out the guts, seeking must find

Write how, read so, never mistaken

I am glad to read Phong's letter

Acute, tilde, grave, not enough throughout the simple text

Heavy, question marks, where needed then marked

Thus the mind is at ease

From now let it be called a notification aid

Magic bestowed, learn by heart

So that from now, poems have diacritics

Thành Phụng, wishing forever, finally satisfied

I here, miss mother, miss father

Miss older brother, older sister, saying, longing

Months and years, living together

Now separated, cannot be together anymore

It is only fate

But hoping, then again, there is a time to meet

Wishing each other, blessings, longevity, wealth

Wishing each other joy, before and after one heart

Strong wind, storm, the tree bends

Bent but not fallen, so the heart worries less

Anyway wanting to live properly

Deep roots, firm trunk, big branches, many leaves

Then rain and snow will not topple it

Then drought, much sun, still safe

Cannot avoid hardship

Pray to be cheerful, then the heart is at peace

Enough, why organize

The family is tarnished, what is there to show off

The worm, too heavy already presses down

The children's affection shattered, how can the hand cover it

Now what to do

The mind weary, though long-lived, no peace coming and going

More days, more months, the gentler

An hour of virtue, is an immortal in this world

Seven days five sessions the working fate

Weekend squeezing tangerines into oranges truly long-labored

Hair and beard turn grey, forehead shining

Also because the Phạm family wants life a bit more

Bones and sinews once hard turning soft

Knees and back sore from staying awake at night

Phạm Anh, strength still tough and enduring

Wealth not yet enough still demanding not letting go

Alas! mother has truly gone

High descent, mother left, in the grave, mother lies

Regret that she did not live to 100

Children and grandchildren weep standing, weep lying, missing her

Mother's children, mother shows the way

The path straight and honest, love of the homeland

Now, mother has gone far

Lacking someone to guide, truly suffering

Household work already so busy

Caring for husband and children, no time left

Afraid to do, how dare be indifferent

Accepting to help a friend, cannot be lukewarm

Morning and evening, greeting as priority

Getting news of good health, no worry, warm heart

Deep affection, is not about money

Whatever help is needed, within moments

Praise the good person to this extent

Husband and children benefit, this friend relies upon

Getting news that he is about to come over again

Even the wife too is ready to follow him

How precious the marital love and duty

Wherever going both husband and wife present

Father away, sons and daughters miss him

Missing the wife, in-laws miss her already

If returning to gather at the right time

Both above and below everywhere rejoice