The Dalai Lama Poem by Laurence Overmire

The Compassionate One
Whether he is the reincarnation
Of a particular soul or not is
Immaterial
He is indeed the reincarnation
Of an idea
That on this Earth
There is always one man
Whose heart is incorruptible
Who embodies what it is
To feel for others
To care when no one else
Will
As long as there is
This one man
To symbolize who we need to be

Humanity has hope.


(Previously published in Poetry Junction, Apr.2003)