"WHEN I'M GONE, WHO WILL MISS ME?" BY SULAIMON: PROF. EGBOWON AND SHAFFIE'S SEQUELS

Who will tell my story when I die?

Won't life tell my name and my story goodbye?

Will they remember those moments of my laughter?

Or leave me to search for another?

Will my memory also fade as I decay?

Or will it stay in the hearts of their generations?

If I die, will my name be said at every stage?

Or will my death be the end of my name on their book page?

If I die, will they cry for the pain of my exit?

Or will they fake cry, because they didn't want me to exist?

Will they mourn the loss that they will lack?

Or will they shed fake tears and turn their back?

Will they remember those moments I brought light?

Will they recall those times I stood up for what's right?

Will they whisper secrets of how happy they're about my exit?

Or will they be truly sad that I no longer exist?

© SULAIMON KHALID

- Nigeria

The poet persona wants to know if he would still be loved after death. The voice askes if people will rejoice or cry over his death. The bard wants to know if he would be forgotten easily after death.

We are remembered by what we have done. Let me share this song with you.

Fading away like the stars of the morning 

Losing their lights in the glorious sun

Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling 

Only remembered by what we have done.

Only remembered (3x) by what we have done 

Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling 

Only remembered by what we have done 

Shall we be missed tho' by others succeed 

Reaping the fields we in spring time have sown?

Yes, but the sowers must pass from their labours 

Ever remembered by what they have done.

Only the truth that in life we have spoken 

Only the seed that on earth we have sown

These shall pass onward when we are forgotten 

Fruits of the harvest and what we have done 

Oh when the Saviour shall make up His jewels

When the bright crowns of rejoicing are won

Then shall His weary and faithful disciples

All be remembered by what they have done.

You will be remembered by what you have done for God and humanity. What have you done?

© PROFESSOR EGBOWON

- Nigeria 

The bard says each creature meets God to account his or her positive or negative doings. Each soul belongs to The Almighty God. The voice says one shall be remembered for doings on earth.

When I'm gone, and my journey's at an end,

Who will miss me, and be my truest friend?

Will it be my family, who shared my joys and fears?

Or my friends, who laughed and cried, through all my years?

Will it be my community, who saw me grow and thrive?

Or my colleagues, who worked alongside me, and shared my drive?

Or will it be strangers, who I touched in some small way?

And who will remember me, on a distant, future day?

When I'm gone, and my voice is silenced and still,

Who will speak my name, and keep my memory alive and real?

Will it be my loved ones, who hold me dear and true?

Or will it be the impact, of the life I lived, and the things I do?

When I'm gone, and my legacy remains,

Who will carry on, the work I started, and the love I sustained?

Will it be my children, who learned from my example and might?

Or will it be the world, that's better off, because I lived, and shone with light?

When I'm gone, I hope it's not just a few,

Who miss me, and remember me, and think of me, and feel it true.

I hope it's many, who'll feel the void I leave,

And who'll carry on, the love, the laughter, and the memories we weave.

So let me live, while I'm here, and make a mark that's true,

So when I'm gone, there'll be many, who'll miss me, and remember me, too.

© NOORDEEN SHAFFIE

(Tact poet)

- Malawi

The poet persona wants to be remembered for his positive deeds. The voice wants to be remembered by his family and loved ones. The bard believes in building an imitable legacy.