Deja Vu at Paper Poetry

A Tribute to Thich Nhat Hanh

The Zen Buddhist monk who taught us mindfulness

Constructed by writer in PowerPoint using photo taken of an article published in The Australian newspaper on January 25, 2022 (Thousands mourn monk who brought mindfulness to the West) and free-to-use yellow daisy clipart

“Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
Thich Nhat Hanh (Oct 11, 1926 — Jan 22, 2022)

incense wafting through the air
daisies scattered everywhere
berobed monks in yellows and browns
prayerful chants of deep mourning

a wooden coffin amidst the throng
loyal followers subdued hues of grey
heads bowed file past duty calling
here present observant ever grateful

Thay’s body in death’s still repose
in life a living Buddha writer-poet peacemaker
master father of mindfulness
Thich Nhat Hanh at 95 has left us

a legacy of Zen teachings
spiritual freedom mind and body
found there in each blade of grass
leaf flower tree branch your breath