Home » Poems » Rhona Mcferran » Professional Mourners

Professional Mourners

Bawling, blubbering
yowling, howling
crying for a day...

Weeping, wailing, whimpering  
sympathy for pay

Relatives nonexistent?
No one left to care?

Snivels, sobs, tears to shed
sorrowful sordid wares
ghoulishly, greedily
auctioning
despair

funeralgriefmemorialpeoplesocietyfree verse

♡Like0

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

M. L. Kiser

November 27, 2018 at 7:31 PM

I learned about professional mourners from my late Mom. She remembered them quite well. It's sad that anyone should have to have strangers pretending to mourn for them but, decades ago, it seemed more important to save face than admit that someone had no family or friends to mourn them. Well penned.

Rhona Mcferran

November 28, 2018 at 12:49 PM

Thank you so much!!

Michelle Faulkner

November 27, 2018 at 12:59 PM

I hope this is not a real thing - but much enjoyed your skillful description!

Rhona Mcferran

November 27, 2018 at 3:08 PM

It actually was a common practice in ancient times, that had become less common (and I thought had died out)... but seems to be making a small comeback in some places! Glad you enjoyed it! ;)

Harry Horsman

November 26, 2018 at 5:00 PM

Oh love this Rent-a-mob poem..

Rhona Mcferran

November 27, 2018 at 9:50 AM

Thank you so much!!! ;)

Caren Krutsinger

November 26, 2018 at 4:12 PM

Oh, Rhona, if you and I were to offer our services, to sob and wail and scream and make a scene at every funeral in the Midwest for just a summer, can you even imagine the fun we would have? I am available in June to pick you up. I will drive a red fire engine, and we can wear fireman hats, so we can make a big splash upon arrival. I had forgotten this was even a career choice until I read this!

Rhona Mcferran

November 26, 2018 at 4:36 PM

Hahahahaha! ;D Still sitting here picturing us touring the Midwest in a big red fire engine! Your comments always brighten my day!! (I'd also forgotten this profession, but saw it in a contest prompt on another site & thought I'd give it a try in a poem...)

Professional Mourners

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

Member Area

Soup Social

Member Poems

Member Poets

Famous Poems

Famous Poets

Poetry Resources