Poem — Posthumous memories

When I say
I’m tired of all things

Don’t try to save me
Let me cut my fists
And bleed till midday light

When they realize
I’m already dead

Turn this day
into a holy holiday

Put your children
in my blood

Show off my body
on an altar of glory and power

Speak lies in my name
remember memories
I never lived

Nor did it
I would like to have lived them

Put flowers on my grave
Shout from every corner
how much they miss me

Say
I love you more than all things

As you look at my old photographs of moments
From which you could have said
such sweet words to me

Yes!
Sail in my name

Tell my relatives and friends
they miss me

But please forget the times
of which I was at your side

Forget once and for all
the cold steps I’ve taken
through these empty, hateful streets

Don’t you remember mine
fingernails scratching these dirty
walls while crying out for help

Close your eyes
and cover your ears like you did the times
that I prayed in tears

Remember the few times
when I was able to smile

Ah (…)
when I walk
towards the distant valleys

I won’t blame any of you
for not understanding my demons

I’ll just let them remember
of the times I turned them into poetic songs
for their deaf ears!

Don’t worry about the tears
or the pains of my final act

Keep on praying
to their lying gods

Living their lives
empty and full of fortune

Keep going!

I beg you to continue!
in their ideological wars

Forget those like me who died
hugging their own legs

Forget me once and for all
while you remember
of the man I was never…

- Gerson De Rodrigues