A Ballad Of Burial Poem by Rudyard Kipling

A Ballad Of Burial

Rating: 3.0


If down here I chance to die,
Solemnly I beg you take
All that is left of "I"
To the Hills for old sake's sake,
Pack me very thoroughly
In the ice that used to slake
Pegs I drank when I was dry --
This observe for old sake's sake.

To the railway station hie,
There a single ticket take
For Umballa -- goods-train -- I
Shall not mind delay or shake.
I shall rest contentedly
Spite of clamor coolies make;
Thus in state and dignity
Send me up for old sake's sake.

Next the sleepy Babu wake,
Book a Kalka van "for four."
Few, I think, will care to make
Journeys with me any more
As they used to do of yore.
I shall need a "special" break --
Thing I never took before --
Get me one for old sake's sake.

After that -- arrangements make.
No hotel will take me in,
And a bullock's back would break
'Neath the teak and leaden skin
Tonga ropes are frail and thin,
Or, did I a back-seat take,
In a tonga I might spin, --
Do your best for old sake's sake.

After that -- your work is done.
Recollect a Padre must
Mourn the dear departed one --
Throw the ashes and the dust.
Don't go down at once. I trust
You will find excuse to "snake
Three days' casual on the bust."
Get your fun for old sake's sake.

I could never stand the Plains.
Think of blazing June and May
Think of those September rains
Yearly till the Judgment Day!
I should never rest in peace,
I should sweat and lie awake.
Rail me then, on my decease,
To the Hills for old sake's sake.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Captain Herbert Poetry 27 April 2014

A personal story poem. With sadness

1 1 Reply
Brian Jani 28 April 2014

You surely know how to wrote, I like each and every poem of yours

0 2 Reply
Adeeb Alfateh 24 June 2019

Throw the ashes and the dust. Don't go down at once. I trust You will find excuse to " snake Three days' casual on the bust." Get your fun for old sake's sake. superb great 10++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 24 June 2019

It is brilliant poem having touching expression.

1 0 Reply
Ratnakar Mandlik 24 June 2019

A stunning desire about one's own burial after death has been expressed in ter alia giving the minutest details thereof along with reasons behind every thing in this beautifully crafted melody by the great poet. A well deserved classic poem of the Day.

0 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 03 April 2022

An interesting verse with beautiful rhyme scheme....

0 0 Reply
Smoky HOSS 02 April 2022

A beautiful longing for remembrance, the eternal wish, and hope, to not be forgotten... by friend and nature alike.

0 0 Reply
Jane Campion 24 June 2019

I love the rhythm in this poem.

0 0 Reply
Rajnish Manga 24 June 2019

Beautiful poem with an interesting narrative created around Indian practices, seasonal changes and their impact on life. Let us not forget that Kipling was born in India and spent many years here before moving over to England.

0 0 Reply
Julia Luber 24 June 2019

Clever poem about how one's body is treated after death: meaningful and astute.

0 0 Reply
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