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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

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M. L. Kiser

Date: 11/27/2018 7:31:00 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
Date: 11/28/2018 12:49:00 PM

Thank you so much!!

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 11/27/2018 12:59:00 PM

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

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/27/2018 3:08:00 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

Date: 11/26/2018 5:00:00 PM

Oh love this Rent-a-mob poem..

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/27/2018 9:50:00 AM

Thank you so much!!! ;)

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/26/2018 4:12:00 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
Date: 11/26/2018 4:36:00 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...)