By sister initiate H.M.H, Indiana, U. S. A.
(Originally in Aulacese)

One night in 1996, in Hsihu, Formosa, Master recited several poems that She had compiled into a collection [Traces of a Previous Life CD's 1, 2 and 3]. The poems touched my heart deeply, although I had never been interested in poetry before, and the spirit of the muse inside me was awakened. Master's voice took me to the highest Heaven, and I experienced deep love in each and every word. The poetic verses were simply beautiful and comforting. Her sweet and melodious recitation vibrated deep in the hearts and souls of the thousands of disciples present. Her voice resonated a love that was very pure and noble, warm as the lullaby of a mother hushing her baby to sleep, as the nectar water poured into our hearts, healing all pain. That night, the insects and cicadas seemed to be quiet in order to listen to Her as well. Tens of thousands of sentient beings suddenly merged into one.

If we focus completely on the words and verses in Master's poems, leaving everything else behind, and submerge ourselves deeply into the world of the author at the time, we will enter an entirely different dimension, from which we exit feeling great love and peace.

Master's poetry is different than that of other poets. Not only can we experience beauty in both its lyrics and meaning, but we can also get in touch with a pure and wholesome atmosphere, full of humanity, with sweet celestial grace and blessing pouring into our hearts. Through the artful language of Her poems, Master reveals Herself as a formerly innocent and helpless child, a sentimental and dreaming adolescent, and a peace-loving citizen, who is deeply hurt by the miseries of others. She expresses the common thoughts and feelings of an ordinary person just like us. So, She has often told us that we should not think that we can't practice and attain greatness!

Master's Artistic Talent in Poetry

Master Ching Hai's poetry is very original and genuine. It brings a sense of freshness; it is an accurate revelation of the feelings in Her heart. Whatever She feels inside, She writes. Moreover, embraced by a gentle and loving persona, Her poetry becomes naturally exquisite; nothing can be superior to it. Through Her poetry, we can see a simple and pure lady with a nature-loving spirit and a soft character.

In describing natural scenery, She uses simple verses that are often colorful, picturesque, onomatopoetic, and at times even multi-dimensional!

"Atop the rice-cake stoves,
Hot water furiously bubbles,
Fire blazing red..."

("New Year's Eve" in The Golden Memories)
(Originally in Aulacese)

Those who grew up during the Vietnam war will likely shed tears while reading some of the poems in "The Golden Memories", reminiscing about running away upon hearing the explosions of bullets and bombs, and experiencing the pain of witnessing wartime miseries:

"Abruptly one day,
Clouds saddened and winter turned bleak-
My teacher departed this world.
Which bullet has punctured his heart?
Red blood gushed out,
Uncaringly wetting cold grass..."

("Mourning Teacher Binh" in The Golden Memories)
(Originally in Aulacese)

Master often uses the natural habitat to describe the feelings in Her heart; thus, Her poetry carries rich and tender sentiments, instead of being dull and constrained:

"I fear passion turbulent as the sea storm,
Love as fleeting as clouds on the mountains."

("How to Forget" in Traces of a Previous Life)
(Originally in Aulacese)

"There were places where spring wouldn't visit.
I expected hopelessly
for cherry flowers to blossom."

("Untitled 1" in The Dream of a Butterfly)
(Originally in Aulacese)

When Master is happy "the garden flowers bloomed";
when She is sad "the pebbles lay quiet"

("Waiting" in Traces of a Previous Life)
(Originally in English & Aulacese)

When She is in love:
"Heaven and Earth fervently intoxicated,
stars in ecstasy!"

("Passion" in The Golden Memories")
(Originally in Aulacese)

But when Her lover has left,
"Sun reluctant to get up,
Moon and stars recede behind clouds"

("Come Back To Me" in The Golden Memories)
(Originally in Aulacese)

Experiencing Master's powerful poetry, readers feel happy, sad, sorrowful and touched... together with the author. Their rich, beautiful and superbly noble verses can help us to get more in touch with the artistic Self dormant inside each one of us, which is another way Master helps us become more enlightened.

We are very grateful to You, dear Master, for bestowing on us Your poems, these invaluable treasures, and for teaching us indirectly through them. You give us everything... do for us everything that You can, including exposing the supremely private feelings of Your life... because of us. With all my love and deepest gratitude, dearest Master, please accept this poem, which I wrote after reading Your books:

Your poetry...
Soft as tender grass,
Beautiful as a full moon,
Vibrant and fresh as blooming flowers,
Passionate as a couple's love,
Warming one's heart through its loneliest moments.

Your poetry's intoxicating,
Like sweet wine in happy times.
Your poetry's like warm fire,
Fluttering in the dark, cold night.

Master's poetry books 'The Dream of a Butterfly' (English and Aulacese versions), 'The Lost Memories' (Aulacese version), and 'The Golden Memories' (Aulacese version) have recently been released. We believe that they will become your most treasured collections!

The Golden Memories