Coffin Plantation. Poem by DEDAN ONYANGO

COFFIN PLANTATION

Another planting season is here
What came from the soil
The farmers must take back
With tears.

Never has it been easy
Planting what had grown
But now gone.

With roots anchored
Six feet deep
The rain of tears overflows
As quickly they plant a cross.

The farmers recall:
Don't you cry for the loss,
Smile for the living
Get what you need
And give what you're given,

Life's for the living
So live it,
Or you better
Of dead.