The Corpse Poem by Mou Mukherjee Das

The pundits were chanting mantras
The relatives were crying
The smoke bellowed from the chimneys seamlessly
The dogs were searching for food
And all this-
While the corpses lay in queue
Awaiting their turn
To reach the burning chimney in the crematorium.


And as they lay in eternal peace
As they prepare themselves for the other world
Their serene face, calm outlook,
Spoke of the struggles, the hard days,
Their memories of living days
Came rushing in the eyes.


A life full of futility
Full of vague nothingness
Lived with joy and laughter
Love and sorrow
Glamour and excitement
Pain and pleasure.


And now
Moving beyond the known realms
Awaiting their turn
Again to come back
Again to start all over again
A life -
Full of stories
And yet full of vacuum
The corpses lay in eternal peace.