On Being

Voice on the Radio
Thich Nhat Hanh
Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen monk, poet, and peacemaker. He cofounded the An Quang Buddhist Institute, the Van Hanh Buddhist University in Vietnam, and Plum Village, a Buddhist training monastery in France. He is the author of many books, including Being Peace, The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation, and Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals 1962–1966.

For Warmth
by Thich Nhat Hanh

I hold my face between my hands
        no   I am not crying
I hold my face between my hands
    to keep my loneliness warm
        two hands protecting
        two hands nourishing
        two hands to prevent
my soul from leaving me
            in anger