Departure Poem by Elorm Dogbo

The dirges at the obsequies played low
And it filled in my broken soul
It was there I knew
The meaning of a beloved gone
If I do cry in mournful tunes
What would be heard of my weaker one

Music so sweet used to play at my house
Where you used to dance,
Ask and you were given once
Why am I not given
When I need
And that demise
Would make me wise
To say man is something
To his beneficiaries only
To the Creator, he is nothing
Like a tuber, he plants and uproots him

I was a prince before the death
But now offended after the death
Not only does the society mock me
But also reject me
The family outside mine
Of my mother and father’s line
Has almost said goodbye
If death was a travel
Would we not marvel
At a retournee’s arrival?
Would we not see those who meant their tears?
Why do you no longer give me ears?
Would the Creator not answer my prayers?
Is orphanhood a crime?
If yes,
Then I guess
There are old criminals around
If no,
May I know
Why I am treated this sound?