Polite Mortality Poem by Raj Dronamraju

He died politely while you were out
He disturbed nothing, he did not leave a mess
He did not publicize his demise
He died quietly, it was a family matter

He died in the spare bedroom, it's okay - no one ever sleeps there
The dishes were done, the sheets had been changed
You felt no embarrassment about the house's condition
Made coffee for those who came to collect the body

His death should produce no complaints
Life had already gone around him and now without him
Sparing a bubble of space for a void of a man
Who didn't listen to you again last night

He died politely when the weather was good
Reduce the excuse of those unable to attend
Summon only a little hysteria for this occasion
His goodbye was decades in the making