THE COFFIN by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

There it stands glistening 

like a well-polished coach 

of mahogany, silver handled, 

waiting to carry any paying 

passenger on a long, long journey 

to a destination of resurrection or perdition. 

The fare is the traveller's life, 

to be paid before the trip starts.

Soon it comes to a newly-completed house 

with an up 'Vacant' notice: 

'Ready for immediate occupation 

by any permanent tenant, 

all welcome, the young and old 

the rich and poor, the powerful and weak'.