Father’s Day :
              
My Father
***

(Affectionately  offered to all fathers, especially
Vietnamese ones who have been struggling for   
Democracy, Freedom and Happiness of Vietnamese
Country and People ).
*

*  I remember my native village
Surrounded by green bamboo hedges,
Ornamented with columns of white-blurring smoke,
At nightfall, rising slowly.

*  I remember the winding village road,
On which herds of cattle
Were coming back to their stables
When the church bell was heard.

*  I left  my village at the age of fifteen,
Separating from my parents and family
To go studying at Hai-Phong City.
When the war broke out, getting harder and  harder,
I followed the elders  to fight against French
aggressors.

Twice, captured by the enemies, I knew
The person, who made patiently great  efforts
To find out where I had been detained, was my
father.  

*  With the spirit of Confucianism,
He taught me how to live with dignity
In  all circumstances of life, even in misery.
Thanks to my father's teachings,
I've overcomed almost everything
To survive regardless lots of challenges
Occuring continuously in my rough lifetime.

*  During 91 years of living in this world,
I never forget his image and teachings
That help me overcome almost  everything.
Sometimes, seemingly I still hear his words:

 My son ! You ought to live with dignity! " 
Always I've been proud of my father.
When growing up, I haven't  done yet
A tiny bit for him as response, unfortunately !
                               
*
Phan  Duc  Minh