Thich Nhat Hanh Poems on Death

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, and peace activist, is known for his inspiring and profound poems on various themes, including death. His contemplative verses offer solace and guidance in navigating the complex emotions surrounding mortality. Below are some of his poignant poems that reflect on the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life.

Poems on Death by Thich Nhat Hanh

1. No Coming, No Going

No coming, no going,
No after, no before.
I hold you close,
I release you to be free;
I am in you,
And you are in me.

2. Before it Rains

Before it rains, I feel it,
Before it rains, I feel it.
I see the clouds above and all around me,
I listen to the wind blowing.
Before it rains, I feel it.

3. Call Me by My True Names

Do not say that I'll depart tomorrow
Even today I am still arriving.
Look deeply: every second I am arriving
To be a bud on a spring branch,
To be a tiny bird, with still-fragile wings,
Learning to sing in my new nest,
To be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
To be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.
I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
To fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
Of all that is alive.
I am the mayfly metamorphosing on the surface of the river,
And I am the bird that swoops down to swallow the mayfly.
I am the frog swimming happily in the clear water of a pond,
And I am the grass-snake that silently feeds itself on the frog.
I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
My legs as thin as bamboo sticks,
And I am the arms merchant, selling deadly weapons to Uganda.
I am the twelve-year-old girl, refugee on a small boat,
Who throws herself into the ocean after being raped by a sea pirate,
And I am the pirate, my heart not yet capable of seeing and loving.
I am a member of the politburo, with plenty of power in my hands,
And I am the man who has to pay his "debt of blood" to my people,
Dying slowly in a forced labor camp.
My joy is like Spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom in all walks of life.
My pain is like a river of tears, so full it fills up the four oceans.
Please call me by my true names,
So I can wake up,
And so the door of my heart can be left open,
The door of compassion.

Reflection on Thich Nhat Hanh's Poems

Thich Nhat Hanh's poems on death remind us of the interconnectedness of all beings and the cyclical nature of existence. Through his words, he urges us to embrace impermanence and to cultivate compassion towards ourselves and others. These poems serve as a gentle reminder to live mindfully and to appreciate each moment as it unfolds.

As we contemplate the profound wisdom within Thich Nhat Hanh's poetry, we are encouraged to confront our fears and anxieties surrounding death. His verses offer a sense of peace and acceptance, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of the impermanence of life and the interconnectedness of all things.

To conclude, Thich Nhat Hanh's poems on death provide solace and illumination in times of grief and uncertainty. Through his contemplative verses, we are reminded of the beauty and fragility of life, inviting us to embrace each moment with gratitude and compassion.