I hear you (poem)

I hear you calling to me,
and I reply quietly,
“I am here with you.”
Yet you keep calling and calling,
asking someone to help you.
It's as though you never hear my reply.
Then I realize you only hear yourself
calling for help, and not listening
to me reply quietly,
"I am here with you."

I hear you calling me! I hear you…
I hear you when I call your name. I hear you…
I hear you calling…
I hear you…
I hear you calling…
I hear you…
I hear you…

I hear you cry, “I can't live without someone to love me.”
I hear you calling!
I hear you…
I hear you calling!
I hear you…

One day I will find you nearby.
All I have to do is listen for you.
When I call your name,
it is you who answers,
"I am here with you.
Just call for me, and you will hear me!"
When I listen with my heart,
I will hear your answer to my call.
Every time I call for you,
you are here with me.

I hear you call me! I hear you...
I hear you when I call your name. I hear you…
I hear you calling...
I hear you...
I hear you calling...
I hear you...
I hear you...

I hear your cry, "My love goes out to you forevermore."
I hear you calling!
I hear you...
I hear you calling!
I hear you...

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This poem is inspired by the Nembutsu, which is known to Pure Land Buddhists of the Jodo Shinshu faith as the Name-that-calls.

It is said that when the devotee recites the Name-that-calls, it is Amida Buddha calling.

In my poem, both Amida and the devotee are referred to as "I" and "you", as the lover and her beloved.

Thus the lover calls to her beloved, who replies to her wherever she may be.

This is not just Buddhist. This is also romantic. For the source of all love is unconditional love.

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Originally posted on March 23, 2005 at 8:11 PM