**the Mourner Poem by RAJ NANDY

THE MOURNER

He was an old professional mourner who
always cried,
At the funeral of people when they died!
He got paid for his sobs and wails,
The coroner and the grave digger both
knew him well!
Then one day when this old mourner died,
No one bothered to look, and no one cried!
The grave digger buried him in a neglected
spot,
In the corner of the cemetery about which
people forgot!
And at night the dead souls gathered together,
They wailed and sobbed to return the favour!
But the dead mourner’s soul looked distressed!
And asked them to tell why no tears fell? ! !
Then those dead souls in a chorus cried, -
“We have shed crocodile tears for you, now that
you have died! ”
“Do unto others as they do unto you, -
In the world of the dead is also very true! ”

-Raj Nandy
18 May 09
New Delhi