June 11, 2005
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FOLK SONG
Trèo lên cây bưởi hái hoa
Bước xuống vườn cà, hái nụ tầm xuân
Nụ tầm xuân nở trăm cánh biếc
Em có chồng anh tiếc lắm thay
Ba đồng một mớ trầu cay
Sao anh không hỏi những ngày c̣n không
Bây giờ em đă có chồng
Như chim vào lồng như cá cắn câu
Cá cắn câu biết đâu mà gở
Chim vào lồng biết thưở nào ra
Climb on a grapefruit tree to collect flowers
Step down to an aubergine garden to collect dog-roses
Dog-roses bloomed hundreds of jade petals
You get married, I deeply regret
Three dollars a bunch of betel leaves
Why didn’t you ask while I was unattached
Now I am in a marriage
Like a bird in a cage, a fish is hooked
Fish takes the bait, cannot be unhooked
Bird is in a cage, cannot escape
PAINTINGS OF VIETNAMESE ARTIST DO DUY TUAN
Climb up grapefruit tree to plug flowers
Step down aubergine garden to plug dog-rose buds
Dog-rose buds spring bloomed hundreds petals
I have a husband, you regret any?
Three dollars a bunch of betel leaves
Why didn’t you ask those day when I was free
Now I have had a husband
Like a bird in a cage, like a fish on a hook
Fish bitten on a hook, cannot be undone
Bird in a cage, who knows when it can leave
