only father guru
now that you have died
i am truly an orphan
and it is sad to live alone
in this world
sad to live alone
in this cement samsara
but through the foresight
of your limitless compassion
my inheritance is immeasurable
though my sight is veiled
by the darkness of ignorance, passion and aggression,
you have left the great eastern sun
to light my path
though my heart is cold and narrow
you have opened up your treasury
of limitless warmth
though my skills are meager
you have given me the 6 rungs of paramita
to cross over the turbulent river
of despairing–mind
though my knowledge is slight
you have left open the vaults
of true insight
there is no way to thank you
for these gifts
except to share this wealth
with all sentient beings
i vow in the direction
of the rigden kings – to do so
and in the tradition
of the practice lineage
and in your name –
chogyam trungpa
april 5, 1987 / karme–choling, vt