Parinirvana For a long time I had many dreams That you had come back And I cried my joy to you. We had a private joke When the sangha saw A video of the old days And didn't recognize themselves. You were always as close As my own mind. I told you everything. You taught me to stay true, Gave me the courage To stay true. When I read of Rev. Ryuichi Yamamoto, A youthful tantric master From Kyoto, Japan, A child prodigy And Shingon master Coming to North America To tour Shambhala Centers And learn more about Chogyam Trungpa's teachings, I rejoiced, knowing it was you. My heart leapt: He's come back! He's arriving on the 20th Parinirvana! He'll set everything right again! Then I read: "Please contact Miss Kiku Masamuni," And read the date: April 1st. And I got the joke, Which only increased my longing. There will never be another like you. Tharpa Nordzin PS: Thanks to whoever wrote that joke. Good one!