The Send-off After Death
The send-off after death must be poignant
And heavy with deep silent gushing glistening tears;
Let there be voiceless sobs but no wailings;
Need there be no wreaths or garlands on the body;
Yes, the death should not defile those tender flowers!
No fireworks whizzing past tearing the peace of the skies
Or ear-shattering mindless crackers that deafen the infants!
No kingly decorations for the bier
But a simple framework of split bamboo
And a hay spread on a coconut frond;
Let death crown itself in utter simplicity and look great
Do not mock death through foolish deeds;
No unsightly dances on the way triggered by liquor
As if to gloat over the death in sprightly jigs!
No 'bum-bum' blowing of the weeping conch
Or the complaining 'ding-ding' counts of the metallic gong;
The departing ceremony be simple and short
And not extended to days thereafter;
A tree does not wail over the death of its flowers
Or leaves lying withered at its feet!
And let us salute and thank the death
That thanklessly scavenge the wasted remains
And frees the souls from sickly bonds and worries!
poem by Sundaram Chandrakalaadhar
Added by Poetry Lover
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