Life During Death

By Ariba Fatima

I remember cries,

And a scream quite dry,

My body went cold,

And those tears that people didn’t hold.

They sat beside me,

I remember.

They prayed after me,

Though my memories waver.

I recall being laid,

In a coffin, I am sure.

They prayed more, murmuring their condolences,

They wished me a life more pure.

A drop on my cheek,

and then one more,

They cried over me,

While I lay on the floor.

At last, they shut me up,

No one cried any longer.

Now was my turn,

But my tears were dried,

And my remorse was stronger.

By Ariba Fatima