The Day I Go Poem by Didier Sixte Kahungu

Whether by cries of wheels
Or by smoke of gun
My transportation be
Peter is the name I wish I greet

Whether during grey hair
Or green youth
My way be made
Pearly is the color I think of

Whether with regrets
Or fulfillment
My box be filled
Rotten will the envelop be
Soil will the cover see

Whether with muscle
Or by wisdom
My way was made
Under feet will I lay

Whether with cries
Or tears of lover
The service be filled
Laughter to follow

Whether by boo of enemy
Or by shame
My face be covered
Unable will I be to reach

Whether with cloth
Or with tunic
Be I wrapped
Lazarus` second time will it be

Whether by prostitution
Or by fine perfume
The lord remembers me
His mercy I beg

Whether by science
Or by truth
Or by literature
Or by lie of art
My life be inspired
Sin I hope not it be

Whether illegitimate
Or by law
I lived
“My son” I pray His first words be

Whether by writing
Or by memory
My name be remembered
Whether by song
Or by moment
My presence be felt
Whether by good deed
Or by hurt
My name be thought of
Forgiveness and gratefulness I pray

Whether by will
Or by hope
Or by wish
I think of you
Know my feelings were true

Whether by premonition
Or by art
Or by sadness
Or by knowledge of fate
I write this
Forget not
It was written

Whether by pen
Or by tear
Whether by ink
Or by blood
Or by comradeship
We united
Read it to me when breath is warm

Whether for rest
Or for torment
I be sent
Peace I hope I taught
Laughter I hope I gave
Smile I pray I leave
Joy I hope I wish I was

Whether by love
Or by strength
Or by gratefulness
Or by pity
You remember my ones
Forget not my mother