I'm sending my husband a few packs of special cigarettes.
He will smoke them slowly as his life is burning away like the ashes.
I am sending a few sewing needles to my mother.
She will sew a shirt that she will sew into my heart.
I am sending a few yards of fabric to my sister
She will make a wedding gown or a dress for a funeral
I am sending to my brother a lot of candy
He will eat so many sweets, because his life is so bitter
I am sending my father a plain white shirt
He will wear it only once, when he goes to his execution.
I am sending to Vietnam an ocean of tears
I am sending to Vietnam a funeral, a peaceful day
I am sending to my husband a thousand paints
He will paint his life as he draws with a thin line (???)
I am sending to my mother a few boxes of tea.
She will pour ???
I am sending my sister a ???
She will ?? her life in an empty, cold, and ??? lake
I am sending to my brother a lovely wind
It will help to ???
I am sending my father a few bottles of sleeping pills
He will use them to put himself to sleep
I am sending to Vietnam a caring song
I am sending to Vietnam my feelings of a peaceful sleep.
[HACK LONG, original English title: A Small Gift for my Homeland] |