Deja Vu at Paper Poetry
A Tribute to Thich Nhat Hanh
The Zen Buddhist monk who taught us mindfulness
“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