By Alexander Raju
If death's inevitable, die at the right time,
While people retain you dear to their hearts;
Don't die too young, before your talents proved
That your death a devastation to the world;
Don't die too old that you a skeleton turned,
Your body shrunk to a shrimp, and face dried;
Die when your image is quite fresh and clear
In the minds of your kith and kins so dear;
Die when others could say, ‘early a bit'
That a few drops of tears would stain their cheeks;
Do your best and leave your life incomplete,
Give yourself a chance for a life second;
Hate the longevity of Tithonus,
Be Ulysses and conquer your lifespan;
Live and die a beauty, and be content,
For singing you stopped when your voice was good.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Untimely death of a celebrity under mysterious circumstances is always shocking. The poem tries to see it through another angle. Thank you, Alexander.