Over a man’s tomb I sat,

Wondering what to write,

Phrases I had used in times past

Didn’t just seem right.

Gone too soon was such a line

But before he died he said it was just the right time.

Gone but not forgotten nearly sounds cool

Only that He said he would be back soon

We lost a gem was for a brilliant boy who died at the age of twelve,

Only (this man) that He was not lost, but we found a gem through his death

Call to Glory was for a Christian whose folks didn’t like the sound of lost

Only this man had no such worries for he knew where he was heading towards

He said he left his Glory to die and has gone back to the same,

Transition…always wondered what that meant,

Only to learn it meant to move away to another place,

But this man didn’t really do that saying He would not leave us as orphans

Forever in our minds could stand but I don’t really like the mind part

For I know he is more real to me than my mind can fathom

Never to be forgotten…how could I

In memoriam…sounds too solemn

Gone but not forgotten…I just don’t like the gone part

But while I was wondering what to inscribe with chisel in hand and mallet in the other

The tomb shook…

I peeped in to see the remains of this man…maybe I would get some inspiration

What a neat tomb I must say…

Most likely used for the very first time

…. But wait a minute

Something isn’t right

The tomb was empty

No one!!!

Only a cloth wrapped neatly

Mouth agape I cried

Now I understood all He said

As under a spell I left the tomb

And struck away with my chisel ad mallet

Pieces of stone flying across my face

The wolves howled

The owls hooted

The crickets were really noisy that night as I was told later on but I didn’t notice

Soon the cocks were crowing

But soon it would be over

Stroke after stroke and then one final stoke

Yes

…Under the moonlight

I looked at what I had inscribed

And I knew nothing else could I add

For on the tomb was written

-HE’S NOT DEAD. HE’S RISEN!!!

– bolaji akanni