Page 84 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Dragon & Fairy In Poetry

MY TEACHERS’

TEACHINGS

Original “Lời Thầy” by LOAN SAIGON

I always remember my former teachers’ lessons
Leaving in our juvenile mind deep impressions.
Cross-armed we listened to their wonderful precept;
Each commandment was beau ideal for us to accept.

The teachers looked at us and could guess, smart,
Thro’ our eyes a dear homeland in our inner heart.
They admonished us that we are of Viet descent:
Anywhere to live, always recall it, never to be bent.

Your lection on human behavior you gave so clever,
Even in troubles I have kept in memory for ever.
Your succulent explanations in our ears still ring;
How sweet... how could I forget such well-spring.

I have promised that we will try to win the laurel
And continue to learn/acquire that unrealized moral.
The precious teachers’ teachings are all books above
And above all manifest such a sense of noble love.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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