Translation: Call Me By My True Names

The poem, "Call Me By My True Names", by Thich Nhat Hanh reflects on the interconnectedness of all life. He begins by saying that he does not truly depart because he is always arriving—in every moment, in every form of life. He is a bud growing on a spring branch, a young bird learning to sing, a caterpillar inside a flower, and a hidden jewel in a stone. These forms represent the beauty and beginnings of life.

He explains that he continues to arrive in every experience—whether it’s laughing, crying, fearing, or hoping—because the rhythm of his heartbeat connects him to the cycle of life and death. He describes being both the mayfly on the river and the bird that eats the mayfly, showing that he is part of both the predator and the prey in nature.

The poem takes a deeper turn as he identifies himself with human suffering and cruelty. He is the starving child in Uganda and also the arms dealer selling weapons that cause harm. He is the refugee girl who suffers a great tragedy and the pirate who causes it because his heart is incapable of love. He is a powerful leader in government and also the victim of oppression, suffering in a labor camp.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem aligns with the essence of Isaiah 45:7, as both recognize the coexistence of opposites—light and darkness, good and evil—within the fabric of existence. By identifying himself as both the victim and the perpetrator, Hanh acknowledges the interconnectedness of all beings and the duality present in human nature. This mirrors the biblical assertion that creation encompasses both peace and chaos, suggesting that understanding life’s fullness requires accepting its contradictions. Hanh’s perspective invites compassion and awareness, urging us to see ourselves in both the suffering and the cause of suffering, much like the verse’s reminder of a divine force that encompasses all.

Thich Nhat Hanh shows that his joy is like spring, bringing life to all, but his pain is vast, like an overflowing river of tears. By asking to be called by his true names, he means that he wants to recognize himself in every aspect of life—the good and the bad, the joy and the pain. This understanding allows him to awaken to compassion, keeping his heart open to all experiences and beings.