Yesterday, went to market to buy poetry,

When I returned, my wife asked at once.

Where did you go, dressed like this?

T-shirt, shorts, whose beauty made your eyes drunk?

If drunk on a girl with a high bosom,

Or a girl with a belly sunken in, frightful to see.

Going out with the morning girl, must report,

The noon girl, the night girl, no honor at all.

The afternoon girl, resisting fatigue in the limbs.

The night girl, drained of strength, what keeps the breath.

Which girl is life's true companion,

Girl Miu, is she the place of rendezvous.

When eating, when drinking, Miu cares,

Washing hair, bathing, Miu my darling tells me.

At any time, Miu never leaves,

Embracing Miu, Thành will be light and free of trouble

To abandon Miu would truly be madness,

Try losing all embraces, then who gives money.

Regard Miu as a ferry boat,

Both steering and rowing, why lure and tease.

Wanting to embrace, wanting to pull, why do so,

Wanting to eat, wanting to drink, Miu follows at once.

So even if it be straight away

Wanting to embrace, Miu eagerly accepts at once.

A human life like this is like a fairy's,

Ask the whole country, what region is better.

Whoever mocks, Thành is not discouraged,

Whoever praises, Thành again groans with joy, bursts out laughing

Whoever speaks sharp and bitter,

Thành only clings tighter, Miu is groaning with pleasure.

Embracing Miu, heaven has mercy, heaven rewards,

Mind and spirit both healthy, truly lucky, joyful now.

Who is it that tends the roots and plants the tree,

Who is it that waters and fertilizes day by day, month past?

Is it perhaps old scholar Tú in the house?

Is it perhaps the teacher of our house named Phụng?

Lê-Chân, the women in general,

the men, Phụng Tứu also famed.

In the garden, the trees add branches,

then flowers and fruit, lush green grow abundant.

Tending well, the fish increase in schools,

even dragons add their scales, nothing strange at all,

Wishing the children and grandchildren to flourish,

all year round, through the nights studying

Study to be excellent, of good name,

cast off greed and anger, keep only goodness.

Help the family, help the country, standing or sitting,

independence, democracy, leaving behind a sincere heart.

That is the Phụng clan's picture

A picture toy, clearly made an example

Live as you are — that is ordinary,

only when near death must one enter the hospital.

No shoes, no glasses, no matter

only because of poverty, does anyone even know.

But whoever gets to study day and night,

only then finds all things, adding bitter, sweet, and savory.

Life today has improved from the wretched,

but there are still the suffering, lacking savory, lacking fragrance

Remember the day you sent a telegram-poem

Announcing tearful news, do not wait long

Should arrange to cross over

Cross to America, through the long night you wait

Hearing you, father only dreams

To escape the miserable state that is now exile

Fortunately the boat has gone with the current

The family gathers as prayed and wished for

Naturally, many anxious moments

Heaven and Buddha have helped, sorrow has passed

Now, we have reached old age,

only hope our children and grandchildren be sensible

Being sensible, do not be arrogant

nor have troubles, many cruel things

Help life in 100 ways, 100 roads

the best, most precious way is to love the elderly

Treat people as one's own mother and father

Use gentle words, that too is cherishing

Avoid harsh words like axe and hatchet

Avoid confining to lonely desolate places too sad

Avoid the lying words of a merchant

Avoid empty promises, then sneaking away thinking it clever

So then, if one lives eating vegetarian

but the heart lives good, day by day heaven has mercy

Heard the news you are weak, and forgetful

So you must move about often, strength will endure

The past is over, don't dwell on it

Thinking too much, blood pressure rises again

The treadmill, making it a friend is best

Try it and see, strength will endure

I too practice, working hard daily

All worry gone, all groaning gone.

The family gathers this year

Orlando in July, these days terribly hot

Children and grandchildren fly home from every direction

The Đoàn-Lê organized it, nothing to fault

Children and adults compete together,

swimming contests, singing contests, no rivalry of high and low

Merry play, eating and drinking abundantly,

Four generations gathered, how it stirs the heart.

Four sons, seven daughters, who bore them?

The labor of raising, nurturing, building — whose?

Months and years of long hardship

In times of fleeing chaos, no one helped

Who shared, who divided the common plight?

Heaven pitied the suffering, the anguish has passed.

Now wealth and peace,

Lê-Phụng, that merit, like the Hải Đường flower

Children, show your loving heart

For the one who bore you, show the way of filial gratitude.

Together, must be caring and attentive

Harmony above and below, no reluctance

That is repaying filial duty through the night watches

While the person still lives, clearly seen at once.

Joy when meeting face to face,

So there be no regret from now until old age

Brothers and sisters coming and going

Set an example, don't hold back

The younger ones delighted, no rivalry

And the children, seeing this, grief gone turns to joy

Thus the family prospers

Thus filial duty repaid, the children build it up

Thanks to whom the body can lie in peace

Fine mattress, soft pillow, so truly kind,

Wanting to lie curved as one wishes

Just press a button, feel like a fairy

On nights awake yet not sleeping

Train the mind and body to practice meditation

Sometimes on the bed, holding a pen to draw

a few old verses, feeling like a fairy

Do not boast of much silver and money

Do not boast of wealth, it only maddens the head

So many with much wealth, heads gone gray

So many wealthy go to serve others

Fame that is empty fame is not far off

Without fame, living upright turns out happy

Outer beauty is only fleeting beauty

Inner beauty of character, in all conduct, wins praise

The green history still records by lamplight

A gentle temperament, that is the lotus in the pond

Even if plain rice, potato and corn

better than meat and fish flaunted recklessly

So live decently

better than falsehood, what nobility is there

If poor, be content with poverty

Poor but living rightly, surely respected

What sets people apart is the soul

A noble soul, wise to leave to the world

Lying at night thinking hard, oh dear

To be wise, let life teach you wisdom

The eye's vision is brighter than before

Colors easily distinguished at a glance

More or less clear even in old age,

Thank science for helping us at this time

Thành, when swollen in hand and foot

also recovered better than days before

The credit of children, doctors, and nurses

Over the years, forever remembering that kindness

Early spring, a Sunday, fine weather

An trai has arrived, a moment of welcome

Invited to visit the high mountain scenery

With majestic mountains, flowers, peach blossoms along the streets

Also seeing rivers, waters, mountains, lakes

So many beautiful sights, painted by heaven, gazed at endlessly

Thoughts turn to someone, anyone

Pitying the fate that through long days still laments

Here, nurse Tina.

Grateful for your warm care helping me

Helping me to stand, lie, and sit

Eating and drinking sufficiently, not too much

Hygiene done thoroughly morning and noon

Medicine you keep ready to prevent when in pain

You are cheerful, showing no trace of sorrow

You smile and I too shed all worry and sadness

On outings you also help along

You yourself are the one who massages someone

From top to bottom, along the long spine,

Each time massaged, oh how pleasurable

Heavy or light as the hand wills, right or off

If not for deep affection and great kindness

who would bother to press and massage for whom

Sitting still, straightened, thanks to you

In moments away from you, remembering ever.

Thanks to whom the body can lie in peace

Fine mattress, soft pillow, so truly kind,

Lie straight, lie curved as one wishes

Just press a button, feel like a fairy

On nights awake yet not sleeping

Train the mind and body for seated meditation

Sometimes on the bed, holding a pen to draw

a few old verses, feeling like a fairy

Morning already, everyone rise

Each to their task, with no excuse

Girls and boys of student age

Review the lessons the school gives to do

Not binding the elders, women and men

Work honestly, striving to be well fed

And whoever has weak eyes or is frail

Rest assured seek treatment, recovery is up to oneself

Thuận returns, Dung comes to take over

Helping father and mother, day and night at peace

Even with the nurse staying by,

to bathe and care continuously day and night

Thanks to heaven, thanks to ancestors, so precious,

easy of mind to follow, relieved by day and night

The family hopes for gentle calm

to leave a name and hope to further help kin

Bát-Tràng, famed craft village

Specialized regional trade, contented, money steady

Formerly burning firewood, the people complained

Now burning gas, so all are at peace

But still many matters to discuss

Workplace and dwelling, concerning people

Wishing the economy to flourish

Docks and roads, fix 10, fix 100

Sanitation also where one stands and lies

also need thoroughness so visitors have no trouble

Give first attention to construction

Remember whoever spent money here.

(Child of [?], that is the maternal grandchild of aunt Lời)

Grandchild Huy, listen carefully

Study diligently, avoid liquor and drink, remember

Your parents earn in the fields

help Huy to study, waiting hopefully day by day

Huy's grandparent is already weak in limbs

You need help, will you know later

I here am of middling health

Not knowing whether still alive or passing at any moment.

Although of the same clan, still not well acquainted

Tứu's ways, past and present, worthy of a master

Hoping for news of the family, children and wife

Thành wishes to pray for all good fortune

The family, Phụng Thành — who does not know

poor before, now the bitterness eased

Fortunately the times favor, the Đoàn strives

Able to help the common folk, Tứu already knows.

Ninety-six, where is it, only reaching a hundred

Four years is long, not yet to grasp

Children and grandchildren, all together healthy

Longevity there is, money where, still feels content

Reunion and gathering, who would not want

[?] heaven grants as one intends

I go to the sands or to be cremated

perhaps this body will again vanish

Mr. Ngô Đình Diệm, no one liked

the situation now is still like before

blue and red follow the tide, bright and dark

white and black in halves, no intent satisfied

Wanting new friends, who can be trusted

only losing faith, weeping and laughing randomly

Wanting to trade lead, not yet possible

must wait for the time to come, sun or rain.

Today there is good news

A woman has given birth to a brood of five

Before birth, the belly large, hard to lie down

At birth the suffering a hundred thousand times

Now freed of hands and feet

then how to raise them alive in this world

Hoping someone helps with this

So children and mother all fortunate, living well

Pray to heaven, pray to Buddha, help my father

Let the illness heal at once, strength swiftly return

So my mother and I may live joyfully

The whole family blessed, blessed as I am

So many hard years the one endured

never complaining, having toiled

suffering and bitterness the one has borne

Hoping heaven blesses and helps my father.

Just be joyful, do not complain

Illness must be treated, no need to discuss

Following the doctor's word is above all

Trust that soon the trouble will end

Parents and siblings come to pray

Wife and children likewise, ten thousand times

So you recover quickly and then enjoy peace

Family happiness ready to share.

The eighteenth of June by the western calendar

Of the year zero-eight is Father's Day

We wish Father more longevity and no aging

We wish Father health, the whole family happy

May Heaven grant blessings for life

We hope Father just enjoys, sitting and standing at ease

We children promise to be good

To repay the birth and nurture, remembering forever

Oh dear precious father and mother

We children unite as in the words of Thuấn Nghiêu

We children are diligent, not reckless

We children try, not proud nor lazy

We hope father and mother stay bright

Morning noon evening night full of laughter

That is the key of the matter

That is complete marital happiness

The twenty-second of June by the western calendar

Organizing this in-law family gathering

Northwest America the meeting place

Sharing joys and sorrows right here

Hoping whether present or absent

Unity in deep heart still remains full

Charity, compassion and forgiveness

Steadfast heart, firm resolve, never shaken

Nine years ago just born

Left off school talk, the work of mother and father

Elders each year grow older

The child reaches the age of rosy complexion

Today the birthday, how joyful

The family all gathered, everyone happy

Thanks for the sweet wishes

Thanks for the gifts, Anna I'll remember for life

Now dear, calm sea and clear water

Only in sickness does one's heart become clear

Loving each other regardless of wealth

Cherishing each other must be one heart throughout

So many times you two wished

To see with one's own eyes to ease the heart

Fortunately now the ferry boat

Has reached the shore, no more worry now

Missing so much, missing while standing and sitting

Loss of appetite, loss of sleep, just missing you

Wandering in and out, heart and mind

Only thinking of someone, growing anxious

Hoping wind and clouds bring Yến here

To look a little, to satisfy my heart

Praying to Heaven and God for that person's health

So Yến may gather round in standing and sitting

Resenting sky, resenting earth, resenting clouds

Why not share equally with here

Some have much wealth, too rich

Some live gathered, before and after in hardship

Human life one lifetime living together

Who knows whose heart is Buddha, in which region

Hoping that Heaven [?] this

Loving and sharing to build a golden foundation

Golden foundation is health and wellbeing

Having charity, ready to help one another

Regarding each other as gourd and squash

No one hungry or suffering, all content

Be joyful, gather together

Help yourself help friends, before and after alike

War made the country tattered

Determined to unite, surely life will flourish

Then seek every way

Help family, help nation, boundless love

Success depends on opportunity

Wait for more merit, the people wait, the nation hopes

When you go home do you remember me

Missing you I recite [?] to soothe

Deep night, sobbing here

Not lying, not sleeping, moment by moment sitting again

Rice eaten won't go down

That water, just sipped, sipped then spat out

Each time the shadow slants, evening fades

When night falls, going in and out missing you

Red silk covers the incense stand

People of one country must love one another

Blue silk, purple silk stand out together

All add beauty when used as attire

Old age, silk the emblem of the village

A mirror of respect for longevity, glory to the family

However much silk, still precious, still pretty

Except for disturbance, truly troublesome

The one who left, time flew, a full moon already

Golden incense, empty house, missing the constant presence

Morning and night, seeking, cannot find

Tears fall, eyes red, wishing the person ascended

Now resting at the foot of God

Blessings from above, ever full

Pray God protect, the one blessed

From now content in mind, wish and hope

Because of whom did we become grown

Why do parents so devotedly help us

How fortunate to have work at home

That is Buddha's time, helping us so much

The book says: when victorious don't be proud

If by chance you fail, don't recklessly risk yourself

Keep in mind: the two words 'devoted care'

That is the milestone, comfort for life

Every day, mother leans to my ear

Whispering, mother says: 'You are still a child'

You are still too foolish, too naive

Whatever you want, tell mother, dreams fulfilled

Then in reply to the advice

'A beautiful little one is mother's right to buy

With a sibling, I love to play

Sing together, no less than others

Hoping father indulges, mother, cheerful

Go shopping together, one for me'

Grandfather's age ninety-six this year

We wish grandfather forever, days of health and joy

The family warm, adding flavor

Grandchildren and children visiting, coming and going always

Grandfather's mind clear, never wrong

Call grandfather firm, children obey long

However many wishes and prayers

May Heaven grant them, through the night content

Brothers born of the same mother

Bringing a heart of hatred, surely suffering

However many thoughts in the head

Brought out to compete, harming each other beyond measure

War knows no yielding

The people shot down, ordinary houses collapse too

When victory or defeat comes, still sad

Why not think of it, always peace, keep the heart

Before, on Saturdays stayed home

Yesterday, Saturday, said go to the office

Money? you know [I] don't crave it

Fame? I've hated the ambition long ago

Thinking much brings more grief, more sorrow

Why not think of the deep marital love

One week, year after year waiting

Weekends alone, still cold and empty

By day, every minute waiting for you

By night doors closed, closing off one's life

Autumn sky, short days, long nights

Winter's biting cold, who to be companion

Ninety-five, the calendar has spoken

How many pages left, let me count now

Heaven grants a fortunate fate

Family reunited, with the flock of grandchildren

Wanting the blessings to be complete

The tree remembers its roots, the land its source

Compassion, joy, forgiveness, always

Sincere charity, blessings flow abundantly

Heard that grandfather likes to go fishing

What do you catch, let me know, I'll attend once

Fishing by day, no need for a lamp

Fishing by night, surely by the riverside

Shrimp, crab, frogs, climbing perch

Bait, rod, sinker, net, depending on gear

I here only like the red fish

Velvet rose, cinnamon rose, silk rose, [?]

Wherever you fish, show me clearly

Remember the bamboo bank, everything else is fishy

Wind, oh wind, where are you

Wind bringing biting cold, at start of autumn-winter

West wind too hot, red fire

South wind gentle, hoped for in summer

Storms, whirlwinds, must shelter

That boat, with the wind, cautious, why fear

By ill luck, against the wind, where to go

Lake and river still of wind, fish caught plenty

That kite without wind, no more grace

This sky lacking wind, the kite won't rise

By ill luck struck by wind, cover with blanket

But if it's the [ill] wind, one should avoid at once

Be calm, listen to Buddha's teaching

Don't sleep deeply, take pains to take refuge

Please join hands, faithfully chant, kneel sincerely

Cast off worries, chant homage to Buddha

Paradise in America, where else to seek

Peace for all things, this land

Fragrant flowers bloom bright, with the outer scene

Birds sing gladly, no longer perched on trees

Being fairy, being Buddha, being oneself

Fortunate that Heaven loves, coming to this land

Mother Vietnam in the heart, we still have

Though in distant land, the heart unshaken

Fly wherever, buying more yearning

Why stir the water, let the water be clear

Calm heart, bright mind, crystal settles

Buddha is in the heart, fulfilling the wish

What can I say, only wishes

Wish for quick recovery, strength soon restored

Waiting for father and mother, and the family

Blessings and security be paired

The hidden virtue of ancestors blesses and protects

Planting the tree, then harvesting fruit to eat

From now continue the heart of giving

When Heaven's reward comes, only satisfaction

Two hundred the child gives to me

In truth more precious than diamond

Relatives say to the one at the end of the road

Lacking rice, clothes, [?]

Cause and effect like imagining a dream

Heart glad, sobbing, eyes blurred with tears

Two hundred can save a person

Giver and receiver everywhere content

This year Thuận sends a gift to father

A new computer, truly precious

Those who contributed to this

Father doesn't yet know clearly so here deeply moved

Precious the sincere heart within

The filial heart not boasting a name

The book says: repay the debt of gratitude

The deep gratitude I keep in this heart

Giving father a brand-new computer

Yet not letting know whose kindness

Father here lacks money and means

So the old machine still endures in use

Now the children provide

Father so happy uses it continuously

Thanks to whoever paid the money

Has offered and gifted the sum for this machine

Going far, I miss the oak town

Miss the old house, miss where I lay

Life's tales with friends over the years

So many memories, full-moon nights together

Autumn comes, leaves change color

It's Buddha's birthday, quickly gather to discuss

Whenever cold wind, snow melts

It's the Tet gathering, enjoying the welcome of Spring

Elders advise the young on needful matters

Boys and girls all remind, patient and respectful

Students diligent in exams

Excellent college students surely succeed

Going to work, hoping for good employment

Taking the ferry, hoping to cross to the shore

In business, don't be indifferent

Must be diligent, endure hardship, don't wait for luck

Learning from the teacher, keep the way with the teacher

Learning a trade, try, then may succeed

Whatever you learn, must compete

But don't befriend on jealousy

Whoever is ill-natured and mad

Surely will lose friends, live down alone

People born, their temperament must arise

Rich or poor regardless, true feeling endures

Brother Dung, oh do you remember me

Ninety-three (1993) I already met you

In a rush, unluckily not yet meeting your wife

Please don't blame, I'm wronged

If heaven and earth have mercy, please protect

Dung Lê, their room still the same place

News now is necessary

Hoping you reply to my poem.

Helping the village, no need to worry the head

Really it's very hard, all are relatives

War has clearly shown worldly ways

Aimed at civilian homes, enemy troops said

In the village only telling of sentiment

Whatever the reason must be clever so people are at peace

If not it breaks apart at once

Hoping all understand, all mindful in helping the village

Our American gentleman also has many children

Besides you, let me finish telling it fully

So I may pass word to them while still alive

Getting more contact, that's a mark of merit

Old matters pass, let's discard them all

Only need the present, life's affairs remain

To be happy while age still yearns

Exchanging heartfelt words with children and grandchildren

Aunt Lới

Asking after my youngest sister-in-law

Hoping she is safe, well, and at ease

Forget the matter of Trần's passing

Forget the matter of Lới to enjoy the Milky Way

Pray that the 6 girls, our grandchildren

A happy family, that is precious indeed

Pray for the grandchildren this season

Study and progress, don't be bitter about anything

Whatever the children's parents need

If it can be helped, don't hold back

Remember parents' merit and repay

Remember maternal grandmother, elder in old age

Reading uncle's poem so expressed at first

Hoping for flowers, waiting long, not seen anywhere

Tang poetry read carefully, all wrong in rules

[?] only see betel

At times pretend as if not knowing

To have distant affection meeting the clan

Only with poor poem though wrong in rules

Keeps deep affection, right as wished

A person's life is work, don't tease

Hoping all alike may be at peace

First we must live kindly

Do business properly, not biased by wealth

Avoid doing wrong things

Helping the suffering is a lesson of salvation

Always ceaselessly caring

See at once joy overflowing in the heart

In everyone's heart wanting good

For oneself, for friends, no matter stranger or known

Sometimes jealousy arises

Forget to forgive is [?] saving life

Reflect, think, oh friend

Let us forgive faults of speech

Good or bad the world will gossip

With a heart of forgiveness, the hamlet is warm and harmonious

Grateful the daughter in the house

Mindfully helps mother, helps father, all her life

Even if husband and children can rest

Each task in its place, proper as good folk

In spending she is not wasteful

When parents need, the child hastens to help

Household in harmony, oh how joyful

Treating elders kindly is the utmost golden

Rejoicing

Swiftly apart twenty-one years

Now meeting again, right, no mistake

Met and saw each other in Hanoi

Today, for affection's sake, reassured

Glad to see your heart like Lê Mỹ

Work diligently like a silkworm

Struggle all life for the people's happiness

Forgetting self whether sun or shade

What a name, so beautiful, so fine

Age sixty-nine still full of future

So many sons and daughters made accomplished

So many in-laws helped as directed

Hoping both sides mirror the example

All gentle, all lovely like spring air

Wishing all to gather together

Help others with all one's heart

You are my good friend, oh

Morning to night, evening you saved my life

Saved Thành from all pain and illness

Then healthy again with sorrow lightened

Together we run more than two hours

So many sessions like that, heavenly happy

Just now apart so remembering always

Remembering love and kindness, full and empty

Thành Phụng, ninety-six already

That is the age near feasting on sticky rice and offerings

Glad the children and grandchildren have horse and carriage

Places to eat and live, all spacious

Honoring father, mother, and kin

No one starving, wandering the sidewalks

No one gambling or on drugs

No one drunken and dissolute

Good heart, good manner, honest

Helping above and below, far and near

Hoping for trust, righteousness, spirit

Always keeping togetherness

Loving without regard to poor or rich

Loving sincerely, steadfast throughout

Living yielding to juniors, respecting elders

Remembering public duty, so good

Father's merit, mother's kindness, teacher's grace

The moment repaid shines bright

Take these words not as jest

Advice followed surely makes a glorious life

A cozy family is a fairyland

A healthy family more than money given

Children study and succeed

Good work, well-fed all life

Endure hardship, don't play

Whoever is diligent, heaven helps them meet luck

Father's grace, mother's kindness repaid

That is filial piety making success

How glad, uncle has replied

The Phùng clan's affection is truly deep

Plus wine and pleasure dancing about

Pity the departed, in this life how many

Even at seventy, eighty, ninety

Heaven lets us live, not lazy, still diligent

Helping people while standing or lying

Freedom and democracy, then joyful

Ha! ha! oh my uncle Tùu

I'm glad the uncle has replied

So in the family I still have an uncle

Near and far the Phùng clan spreads joy

Bát Tràng changed, appearance already fine

Longing that later, help everywhere

Phùng Lê at the core with Trần Phạm

Give all heart to help heaven's will

You are my good friend, oh

Morning night evening noon you saved my life

Saved Thành from all pain and illness

Then healthy again with sorrow lightened

Together we run, more than two hours

So many sessions like that, heavenly happy

Just now apart, so remembering always

Remembering love and kindness, full and empty

Yesterday, received your poem

Read again and again, still craving to read more

Childhood, was it peaceful

Grown up, was there family warmth

Then upheaval forced us apart

Each home its own state, hoping for peace

Glad ancestors bless the kind

Children benefit, though barely surviving

Household affairs, country affairs, mountain affairs

Whatever must be done fully to be good

Raising children, day and night [?]

Siblings far apart, heart aching

Many times illness thought fatal

Family blessing recovered, though we didn't meet

Siblings all struggle, not rich

Kinship though so, steadfast throughout

Precious, the deep kinship affection

Apart yet still of one heart loving each other

Now all have grey hair

Relatives too have seen upheaval and changed life

Who wouldn't want ease

Who wouldn't want to greet and care

Pity we are so far apart

When again will there be time to talk!

Apart yet asking after each other

More precious than money, worries lessen

Life like gold worth what

Anger discarded, all things succeed

Live so as to keep a fragrant name

Piety, loyalty, courtesy, good name spreads far

Day and night helping the household

Devoted to the nation, then we are content

May I address Buddha and Heaven

I here as a refugee have eased my sorrow

Old age, no more worry

Food and drink just enough, ask nothing more

Only hope the suffering not increase

Don't blame fate, no more dire poverty

Soon, the Year of the Horse runs along

Help to happiness, over passes, up mountains

Rich in money, rich in goods, for what

Don't let the heart be in misery

Close eyes, let go, is to leave all

Only the corpse remains, also discarded

Give charity from the heart, is best of all

Help with food and clothing, avoid sorrow

Words and speech matter greatly

Comfort, sincere heart, eases misery

Whoever has fortune, security, enough for now

Please don't wish or ask for more

Let heaven give to the suffering only

In the world, know there are so many suffering

Already poor, plus tragic circumstances forever

Sickness, but no one helps

No longer wanting to live, better dead

Ask who has heart, who has good heart

Please help them, oh dear friend!

(Dedicated to Tâm / Tuấn of Thứ / Lựu's family)

Today, went to market to buy poems

Poems filling two pockets, dreaming at dawn

Home, poems placed at bedhead

Then rolled to sleep, without worry

Suddenly someone knocks at the door

Miss Còm speaks, "I came because I missed you"

Missing each other aches the head

Headache, so must visit to ease sadness

Meeting, tears pour down

So many old stories flow out

Such as mourning old Lựu

Such as missing Thứ, the gentle father

Gradually speaking of Nhất

Three children, two wives, much illness

Cường sick, forgot the matter of graves

Also forgot plants, coming and going gloomy

Love, sad, lacking support for long

Work too busy, one shade of wind and dew

News / stories, work is beloved

Still in Thủ Đức, to vaguely remember

Huấn is not indifferent

But because of work, must avoid each other

Tuấn / Tâm, as the locomotive head

Always asking after, helping wherever

That is a fairy-hearted pair

All year living kindly, heaven and Buddha shelter