What I Think About After Death?

I am a biologist.

I do not believe in an afterlife.

We die,

the blood curdles

the heart stops,

proteins begin breaking down,

and we are buried or burned,

whatever practice dictates.

But hypothetically,

if one could die

and then reflect on the life they lived,

watching it like a movie,

I would be happy.

I did not do many things

that would make me feel guilty.

Guilt and remorse.

I believe, are very heavy emotions,

of course,

only if you have a conscience.

I lived frugally,

respected nature,

did not exploit others.

I used my short life

in learning, writing,

reading, and painting.

I raised children as a holy job,

I created a garden for pollinators.

Why would I be paralyzed by

ill-doing?

Yes, I did not go to temples,

I did not read verses,

but I had no interest

in performative practice,

for I lived it,

in ethical pursuits.