a father's love is like a full bowl of water

a mother's love, the North South East West of the sky

filial love, repaying kindness, speaking again and again

Kiều Liên taught it for life to follow

poor in money, poor in silver, not yet poor

poor in heart, poor in virtue, hardship all one's life

relatives, aunts and uncles, oh everyone

whenever at the temple worshiping Buddha, follow the way Buddha gives —

autumn wind, sea waves surging

the ship carries passengers longing to tour the region

San Juan, the starting point, grand and central

visiting seven islands in the ocean region (1)

without going, how would one know to gauge

having gone, one knows, one pities the human lot

staying home, mind cramped, less bright

getting to go, seeing sights, knowing tenfold, knowing a hundredfold.

steady waves, wide sea, high sky

looking far, seeing no land here

from all directions, travelers just filling up

longing to tour, flowers, trees, scenery, people.

on the ship, plenty of fresh food

music and song, all kinds, laughing joyfully

sports, entertainment, in abundance

drinking and eating freely, what more to complain about.

O waves! waves, please be like compassion

pity the sailors crossing the ocean through long nights

help them not lose their way

gentle wind, light waves, they rejoice to be helped

high waves, strong wind, they don't dream

family and friends are waiting for them here

help them to be reunited

gentle wind, calm waves, joy spreading to everyone.

because of whom, we become healthier

because of whom, we gain momentum to live longer

and enjoy a peaceful life

remembering the merit day and night, always

grandchildren and children lent their strength, who else

helping to buy, and giving money too

the treadmill is a close companion

morning noon afternoon dawn, humming all day long

the earth round, the sea wide, the sky high

the ship carries passengers, does anywhere know

vast sky and sea, night and day

dizzy and seasick, the ship luckily reaches shore

a foreign homeland, a stranger's land, forlorn

from now on, to lean on, whom can one rely upon

awake at night, sighing, the long watch

resenting oneself, resenting fate, whom to resent now!

we go touring the open sea

to visit seven islands from the time of creation

Rico, the start, the Caribbean region (1)

Domingo, Barbados, in turn, decided already (2)

Martinique, get ready to go (3)

then done, Philipsburg, the turn to visit (4)

there are still two more islands, for sure

belonging to Britain, to America, must see to understand (5)

once seen, all longing surely ends

without seeing, one won't know where paradise is

how blessed the seafaring life

up in the sky, down in the sea, let it roam free

East West South North, generally speaking

just go, you'll arrive, roaming, why fear

sun dew rain snow whatever

storms and tempests, no sorrow no grief

having gone, once in a while, now and then

return to visit family, so as to enjoy happiness.

being one who travels out at sea

happy face seeing the sea, seeing the vast sky

if someone is anxious and worried

one soon sees, some whisper, faces sad

deep down, they think of somewhere else

grieving for relatives sick and short of food

so their hearts ache, their insides twist

standing sitting restless, not wanting to eat or drink.

paying money, advancing to the Water Palace

the Sea King interrogates: "Who is on this trip?"

answering: "Phụng, of the American clan,"

"wishes to visit once, whatever the cost, she'll do it"

the Sea King disguises as an orange fish

blue fish, red fish, spotted fish, racing to swim

having seen, no more wishing for anything

thank you Mr. Board for the submarine trip

from Vietnam having come to America

going to England, to Australia, going everywhere

family, friends, dearly loved

going to know clearly everywhere in detail

this trip, touring the heavenly scenery

in the Caribbean out at sea, to understand

letting life be, not caring for longing

enjoying sky, enjoying sea, enjoying the way to the open sea

written in the waiting room, before

boarding the plane at San Juan to return to America.

the submarine, how rarely one gets to ride

the little fish of the sea floor, how rarely seen

who waits or plans to search

yet in a moment one gets to see clearly

the first time seeing the ocean floor

blue fish, red fish, finding their way to swim

coral, seaweed for ages

only by seeing does one know the depths of sea and lake.

how rarely one travels out at sea

to visit islands at the far edge of the sky

leisurely visiting the Caribbean region (Caribbeans)

every place far more beautiful than ours

the whole tourist area is lovable

from all directions and lands worth pampering, come to see

thinking with pity for our country, for our people

why not develop so our place can keep up with others.

traveling is so pleasant, oh everyone

getting to visit strange lands, living the ocean life

the eyes see clearly and plainly

standing sitting pondering, the more I love the homeland

pitying relatives far away

lacking food, sick, truly pitiable

life too short, not long

I wish to share love to save lives.

Namo

the full moon of the seventh month, today

the bell of Pháp Bảo today just rings out

ringing back and forth many times

reminding Buddhists to step toward the temple

hoping they strive and compete

together repaying filial duty, the effort coming first

Buddha here settled, the first rite

together meditating, making a verse to correct oneself

praying for the souls of the sacred spirits

the grace of the Three Jewels, truly wished for

Vu Lan, praying wholeheartedly

gathering kindness, accumulating virtue to complete all things

how to avoid falling into delusion

then we will get to go home at ease.

tell on, the old story of Bát Tràng

tell on, the new story, who is rich, who is poor

who is fierce like tiger and leopard

who is lovable, steering the oar, rescuing from danger

who is far off, at the edges of the sea

who is famous, adding glory, becoming grand

wanting reputation to be glorious

live really well, so relatives share in it

helping father and mother is love

the father's sibling still helps, boundless love

old age, illness, surely a hardship

Lộc Phụng, unimaginable, who would think it real

that person lives so fully generous

tall tree, big shade, East and West benefit

thank heaven, truly beyond a dream

putting hand to forehead, still thinking it a dream

thinking over and over, proud

Phụng Sơn, devoted daughter, merit remembered for life.

having America, spending to excess

Vietnam, in want, in every way, so pitiable

ask anyone, the paradise life

ask the heart, think again, and pity our own people

our people are crying, are wailing

hoping for a little porridge to ease themselves

that person, well-fed and warm, gathered together

deep affection, unity, building up the ancestral home

that machine, malfunctioning for a long time

why not fix it, leaving grief, leaving worry

left so long, water flowing backward, spring pouring

so much frustration, pitying one's own lot

thinking over and over, how alarming

bad weather, strong wind, love broken, tears fall

thank Sơn, George, Buddha and heaven

the machine now replaced, one can breathe a bit of relief

this bell has been cracked for a long time

struck, it sounds hoarse like sorrowful weeping

blame the clumsy casting, lacking solder

or because of lacking virtue, the root lacking love

hoping heaven, hoping Buddha be efficacious

solder the gaps to add love, the sound rising

with love, the bell rings truly resonant

cast the bell soundly, resounding for a lifetime.

planting a tree yielding fruit is ordinary

growing vegetables, picking leaves along the ditch, what of it

cultivating people, the merit is no different?

left long it gets harder, don't grieve over gain and loss

months and years of toil, truly a mountain

success achieved, able to help, who better, joy overflowing

helping to make life beautiful and thriving

helping the new life become fresher, blooming with flowers.

my eye has had a growth for a long time

my heart wants to cure it, only awaiting the right time

now is exactly the right hour

resolved to go get it treated, the moment has come

a small favor, someone, help me

looking to the little child, just as I hoped

once cured, my heart is soothed and content

this kindness, remembered forever, kept in this heart.

out at sea, the wind whirls how cold

the blue coat Hạnh gave, put it on and warm at once

far from home, far from house, night and day

feeling the love in the coat, knowing the thickness, heart-stirring

whose love lives truly pure

though far apart in face, the heart still glad

the filial heart adds flavor

praying to heaven, invoking Buddha, both lives be lasting.

mother goes to have the tumor removed today

beloved child, stay today with father

in the house you have grandparents

you have aunts and uncles, so mother's absence is less sad

praying that you may always

eat well, sleep soundly, not sad, not hurting

in mother's heart she still always prays

Buddha and heaven bless through the long night and day

so the child may shine like anyone

so the child passes exams and succeeds, mother hopes.

the open sea competes with longing for home

drinking the tea Thủy gave, my heart grows sad again

father and mother died long ago

five siblings by blood, only two remain

in the winter season, pondering the long night

siblings on separate paths, who to keep company

drinking tea with no companion to share

drink then just drink, the innards sag, the innards ache.

Visiting the true Red-Indian land

Visiting the rosy western frontier land

Columbus once idled seven strings here

Went to invade, to seize this island of the people

straight out, seen upon the sea's face

The loser, the native land, how could one ride it?

Asking first: "compatriots

Freedom like that, so grand, what more to say!"

Why did you come to seize our island?

Why did you take our girl to be your wife?

And even cast a proper statue

Our people "wretched, numb" heartbroken!

This statue, cut off its head to finish it

This land must be within our nation

Our land, we build our house

Having the right to live, the whole family together

to eat together and dwell together;

When going to see the shops of gold, diamond, amber, jade

on the Caribbean islands.

This island has so many gold shops

Diamond, amber, fine adornment, dazzling

Travelers from all directions, coming and going

Those who look, those who buy, truly very crowded

Pity for the land of Vietnam, the Hồng lineage

Already poor and hard, only planting small trees

Whoever is rich, please do not be indifferent

Help your family, do not worry of abandoning one another.

My dear, I have come back here

a week at sea, eyes full of falling tears

Missing and loving you at the horizon

hoping you recover from illness and sorrow

Mother and father passed away long ago

Wishing you may see a fragrant life

Joy within the heart, ordinary family folk

Build the temple, cast the statue, oh everyone!

A deed that, once done, records merit for all ages

We are the lineage of Lạc Hồng

How could the Buddha have no temple

Contribute money, find land to buy

Contribute labor, contribute goods, build the temple, don't forget

The Buddhist family forms the foundation

When the foundation is firm, success comes in no time.

Migrating, easy to lose one's way

Looking for someone to lean on, lean then speak first

The temple says: "Buddha, Dharma, Sangha to pray"

Peace of mind, doing good through long days

Nam-mô, bow to the Buddha Tathagata

Bless us to buy land to build the temple

Gather money from the people to buy

Contribute labor and goods, then the temple is raised

This Tết, which day to twirl the staff

Twirl skillfully so the rumor spreads and speaks

Speak well but must have words

But not overdo it, tattered and broken now

Add a bit of eager fervor

Here I just keep striking away

Strike for life, adding to the ranks

So the world knows, glory on one's face

Grandaunt could not attend the joyful party for Andrew

the first-year celebration; Grandaunt has only a small gift Betsy [?]

to bring over and this poem to give Andrew;

Andrew is one year old today

The whole family gathers, today truly crowded

Rejoicing that he grows fast in rosy years

Wishing him always healthy, father watching mother waiting

Grandparents achieve their dream

Aunts and uncles too give and hope

In the future filial and devoted wholeheartedly

That is the wish contained herein.