Mourning Mat Poem by Ojeikpo Elijah

Don't come to my funeral with a mourning Mat,
For I do not wish to be mourned or wept,
For in death, I shall find peace, that is a fact,
So let my departure be a peaceful step.

Do not bring flowers or wreaths of sorrow,
For I will not be there to see them laid,
Instead, remember me with joy and borrow,
From the happy memories that we have made.

For in life, I laughed and loved with all my heart,
And I hope that is how you'll remember me,
Not with tears and sadness, but with a start,
Of a smile, for that's how I'd want it to be.

So do not cry or grieve when I am gone,
Instead, celebrate the life I've lived on,
Do not come with a mourning Mat in hand,
For I do not want a sad and somber scene.

Instead, let the beauty of life expand,
And let my passing be a peaceful dream,
Do not wear black or dress in all black,
For I want to be remembered as I lived.

With colors and laughter that never lack,
And the joy and love that I always give,
For in death, I do not want to be mourned,
But rather, celebrated for who I am.

For the lessons I taught and the love I adorned,
And the impact I made, a lasting exam,
So do not come with a mourning Mat in sight,
For I am at peace, in eternal light.