An Evening of Poetry and Music – Traces of Previous Lives and Love Songs for the Homeland, Part 9 of a Multi-part Series

Ladies and gentlemen, “Old Town, Past Love!” is the title of a poem composed by the poet Supreme Master Ching Hai when the author was a young student. And according to my research, this seems to be the only poem the author still remembers very well after many years of traveling to unfamiliar places around the world in search of the Truth. I would like you to revisit the memories of “Old Town, Past Love!” with lyrics by Supreme Master Ching Hai, music composed by Phượng Vũ, and performed by Mai Hương. “Returned to the old city, Felt the waking of first love, the bird in the cage could not far fly; Brighten the dark day with my soul, on the page tear tainted ink flows into a love song! Returned to the old city, my heart was so dreary Time-river has floated away amour, pity me! You passed by, not even once glancing back Waiting for my return, many winters were weeping sorrow. The indifferent old garden still linger shadows of past memories Not faded away through tattering wintry rain! One day weary steps between voyages, Wondered if any passion left? in vain... Returned to the old city, Felt the waking of first love, Time-river has floated away amour, pity me! You passed by, not even once glancing back Cold evening, here, there is only me”

The Poet not only composed poetry, but also participated in volunteer work with all Her heart and strength, regardless of skin color or ethnicity. Ladies and gentlemen, that love, that heart of the poet Supreme Master Ching Hai is not just an ordinary love of one person for another, but is the love for humanity, for all beings. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is the song “I Love You,” which I would like to introduce to you, with singer Lệ Thu. “I love you as I love myself Like my love for the Great Earth, all continents, countries’ rivers and mountains. Tomorrow’s farewell, whose heart’s tear will shed ?! I bow to you hoping to recompense your fondest heart-loyalty Who knows when we’ll each other again see! Sorrow for you with hair still lush yet the color of amour has turned gray. I love you as I love myself Like my love for the Great Earth, all continents, countries’ rivers and mountains. Tomorrow’s farewell, whose heart’s tear will shed ?! I bow to you hoping to recompense your fondest heart-loyalty! I’m leaving, aspired to reach Heaven high And to even out all upheaval and suffering! I love you as I love myself”