From My Casket Poem by David N. Munene

I peeped;
Through the glass
Whilst no mourner leaped
As black dominated daylight
Like does the sight of shining brass
I was the only one in white

Hey! Whose suit am I wearing?
Whose tie am I bearing?
Did someone just buy me this?
Are you sure that’s the village miss;
The one who never let me come to her close
Why isn’t she giving me the usual insult prose?
Even dear Reverend is here!

Was that me in the eulogy?
Full of praise in character analogy?
Who wrote it anyway?
Am convinced they knew not my surname
Yet the confidence in the voice uttering my name
Has negligible or no shame
Why are you so kind?

Was that a scream;
Or am I in a dream?
My aunt flew in?
She never did for my birth day!
Alas! My casket creates a movie
Even deserted pap’ is here
Embraces; instead of battering ma

Roses
Gerberas
Tulips
I did love them
Couldn’t afford them
Someone pluck one for me
Place it on my nostrils
Like does a lover in valentine thrills

I broke my foot
You came to loot
Put me down! Hypocrite
I Can carry me now outright
Where were you?
All of you?
I was always here
I never saw you there!

I will peep and shush
Won’t react in a rash
Emotion has left me in a rush
The elegance of my casket
To me is just a basket
Wish I were cremated
For in life I was discriminated
But now I peep
I peep into your two-facedness
As you ‘mourn’, ‘grunt’ and ‘wail’
From the (dis) comfort of my (b/c) asket