When You Die

the doctors will tell your spouse
and they’ll break down in grief
they’ll message someone they trust
who’ll rush to see them, as soon the time allows.

your workplace will send an email
and all your colleagues will be saddened
whatsapp broadcasts will flood phones
of those time allowed to occasionally see you.

your spouse will receive condolences
templated from the same google search
they’ll reply with emoji reactions
of course, as soon as time allows.

your body will be repatriated
over mountains, rivers and valleys
until it reaches its resting place
greeted by those whose time allows.

familiar mourning hymns will be sung
with harmonies upholding those
who can’t stand weighed down by grief
but were forced to, because of what time allowed.

those who’ve seen your history
and will carry on the story of those gone before
will keep statues of you in their memories
i guess, that’s why they always called it going home.