Tribute to Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

We Never Met

We never met,

Not in this life anyway.

Not that you didn't offer me the chance.

And even though I wasn't ready

I never forgot you.

I still see you sitting on the stage

Poised to make 'the master stroke' and then:

"I am so ashamed."

You said enough to let me know

I might grow up someday.

Does it matter that your body is gone?

Of course it matters and yet.......

Daily now

Your teachings fill my brimming eyes

The hot and salty tears

melting the ice of my cold arrogance

melting my wall of separation from others

melting all the hidden places in my heart

that have I been terrified to know.

Sometimes when I hear your voice

Or even just read your words,

the only thing I can do is deeply gasp

as if the way you just appeared was so potent

I nearly drown in just the reading of it.

So piercingly true are you,

so precise a doctor for our sick world,

for my sick heart.

On this sad and cheerful day

a toast to you, Sir.

No concoctions,

just a straight drink

tossed back with gentleness

so hot all the way down

it brings tears to my eyes.

Eyes which are beginning to see

things as they are.