Interrelationship
by Thich Nhat Hanh
You are me, and I am you.
Isn’t it obvious that we “inter-are”?
You cultivate the flower in yourself,
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in myself,
so that you will not have to suffer.
I support you;
you support me.
I am in this world to offer you peace;
you are in this world to bring me joy
1989. Written during a retreat for psychotherapists held in Colorado
in response to Fritz Perls’ statement, “You are you, and I am me, and
if by chance we meet, that’s wonderful. If not, it couldn’t be helped.”
From Call Me By My True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh
Read more poems from Thich Nhat Hanh