Page 98 - Dragon&Fairy in Poetry

Dragon & Fairy In Poetry

MOTHER'S DAY
Original “Ngày Hiền Mẫu” by
NGUYỄN PHÚ LONG

Mom is still laborious in her native land to stay;
The Mother's Day is therefore a merely trivial day.

She usually gropingly wakes up early at dawn
To look after the front gate, take care of the rear lawn.
For breakfast she munches slowly a quid of betel.
She tends each pumpkin bud, each squash petal.

Her sons and daughters are busy working in the field,
So absorbed, nonchalant, unaware of it to wield.
Whoever to respect, love, honor her on this day;
Flowers to offer, gratitude to express, wishes to say?

Oh mom, that is the nice tradition of people overseas;
Mother's value, Father's merit, Teacher's deed to
please.
Back there in your village white clouds fly, profuse,
Folk-songs though aplenty gone with the wind,
diffuse.

Away from home, silently in exile, wandering in dole,
I always miss and think of you, pray for your whole,
And for Mother Vietnam, for an eternal good increase,
Our beloved motherland, bright, blooming in peace.

Translation by THANH-THANH

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