Burn Yourself

A sonnet in remembrance of Thich Quang Duc.

It does not seem that aught but despair could bring

A man unto this moment in his life

That anger and revenge must drive him on

Tacitly in acts of self-destruction

In days of war the pull of hate is strong

One awful sin begets ten further crimes

A pious man may find himself drawn in

By abhorrence of the devastation

 

But no regret of passion moves your form

No horrid exultation at the end

Stiff and upright like a china doll

You burn yourself as though there were no pain

Although I do not know this virtue’s name

I pray the Buddha keeps you in his palm

Reviews

[Tennessee]

Everything was connected but each line claimed a different meaning.

[Sami Khalil]

An interesting read and write...Thank you for sharing...:)