When I was ten, a boy so shy 

Said my Dad ‘My friend has passed away

Funeral at the church, quick let’s fly

Let’s be in time, let there be no delay’

At the church assemble a big crowd 

All ancient souls, no boys though

Speeches were many, clear and loud 

Not to my liking any of them, no

I wander here and there

Till a cozy corner I find of my own

Taking care of my own affair

Secluded, undisturbed and alone

Alas, a man finds my hiding place

‘Boy, why in a place unknown?’

I look up, anger writ on my face

In silence I move to another zone

I twiddle my thumb, loiter and fritter 

While oldies line up, ‘Goodbye goodbye’

To the departed soul lying thither

Then it’s my dad’s turn to wish the guy

Dad calls, ‘Son, now it’s your turn

Be a good boy, go up to my friend

Say goodbye, don’t be taciturn

When wishing, head you bend’

Moving hesitantly towards the coffin

I get the shock of my life yonder!

The dead man lying therein

Is the man who came to my corner!

Tremble I do, am fully shaken

I can only mumble and fumble

Back to my dad, face completely ashen

In the car I just quiver and grumble

Dead man’s face keeps haunting

I am terrified, shudder all the time

Eating is a task quite daunting

Dread even everyday school-time.

Unending misery is cause of concern

My parents are at wits end and all baffled

My ailment the doctor can’t discern

I don’t like moving I feel shackled

Suddenly I get joy profound

Brings to an end my ugly nightmare 

The man I met at the church is found

Twin brother of the dead millionaire.

—A Poem by Rashid Hamza