Cremation Poem by Mbusya Wa Mbusya

We heard his eulogy,
Listened to a mass requiem from the clergy,
So, everything was laid in strategy,
Dark body in a dark suit,
In a smart silver casket,
Above his name on a tablet

We sang a silent song,
Till we heard a gong,
Time had no rhythm, it looked so long,
Each one lost in thought,
In the vicar's word ‘a place of light'
I wondered why one has to quit.

At the graveside,
I heard meaningless a song,
What could be wrong?
Hands clapping silently,
Tears streaming quietly,
Then he was laid meekly,
On the burning slab

Friends, family and relatives,
Laid roses and lilies,
I could see little menacing flies,
At least everybody was touched,
Life and death merged,
When finally the body was set ablaze