Stanzas of 1966
(In the mood of Satsvarupa das Brahmacari 1966)

1.
Swamiji, you said, “If you are not ashamed
you can wear your japa beads around your necks.”
And you said, “Thank you very much”
when I shaved my head.
People jeer at us sometimes on the streets,
but we remember you and Krishna
and it’s all right. 

2.
I go to work with tilaka on my forehead
because I want to show them I’m a Vaisnava,
and because the marks of Visnu are beautiful.

3.
I’m not afraid to go out
to Saint Mark’s Place
and start calling out loud,
“Back to Godhead magazine!
The yoga of ecstasy!
Read how, by chanting Hare Krishna,
you can attain the state of bliss of love of God!”

4.
I’m reading no more books, Swamiji,
except yours.  And eating
no food, except yours.
The renounced saintly life
I’d read about is coming true.  

5.
Sometimes when a night starts out
I’m feeling doubtful,
or I may not like somebody,
but once we get into the kirtana
I go with you to Krishna
and everything’s all right.