An Evening of Poetry and Music – Traces of Previous Lives and Love Songs for the Homeland, Part 6 of a Multi-part Series

Ladies and gentlemen, in the poem collection “Traces of Previous Lives” of Supreme Master Ching Hai, there was the desire to escape from the travails of the mundane life, as in the song “Like the Clouds High Above” which was just presented to you, and we also find an outpouring of feeling from the Poet, as in the following two verses: “I wanted to come in, but feared the stone-cold heart; Disappeared in an instant was our eternal love.” With just two short verses, we can immediately see the impermanence of life. Ladies and gentlemen, to continue the program, I would like to invite you to enjoy the song “Passing by Your House,” lyrics by Supreme Master Ching Hai, set to music and performed by Nhật Ngân himself. “I came by your house, The shadow falling under evening lights, Autumn rain drenched the rosy clouds. I wanted to come in, but feared the stone-cold heart; Disappeared in an instant was our eternal love. Half a lifetime, searching in illusory dreams, For an image precious as gold and gems Lovelorn through the long months and years Adorning you on the velvet pedestal of love. On this eve I wandered toward the old path; The flickering lamp stood ever so lonely. I wanted to come in, but feared the stone cold heart; Our eternal love died long ago already !?”

Ladies and gentlemen, let us listen to “A Prisoner’s Will,” a poem by Supreme Master Ching Hai, music by Phượng Vũ and presented by Duy Khánh. “In the dark prison, I envisioned people in the thousands Drifting on unfamiliar oceans beyond the horizon: In search of freedom, they risked their lives Begging for compassion and subsistence in foreign lands! Oh dear God! I’ll never understand, What changed you, and changed life totally?”

Ladies and gentlemen, the song “My Love,” with music and lyrics by the poet Supreme Master Ching Hai Herself, will be performed by Mỹ Huyền. “My Love is far away Hes still remembers who am I? Separated by the Milky Way My longing’s river deep, mountain high My Love is far away Hes still remembers who am I? Long nights, yearning for my best Friend Dreaming of the Milky Way Oh! Hey, hey, any passerby Any passerby Please stop and tell me where Hiers Kingdom is Do you know the Way? My Love from far away Where Heaven and Earth unite From immemorial time Leave me alone, longing! Again and again I wander Through thousand galaxies and worlds, Through myriad deaths and births Searching for my Lover My Love’s far away ever My heart longs for You ever...”