I opened the lid of the coffin
and saw myself staring back at me
only joking
it was the person I was expecting
to see
only they looked like me
and were terrible with small talk
only joking
they were properly dead
and just a bundle of bones
dust
and stories that will be completely forgotten
only joking
the room was stuffed with people
sharing anecdotes of a life well live
and I was rugby tackled to the ground
for opening up the coffin lid and
only joking

© Carl Burkitt 2023