'Mourning Orders …' (Poetry Monthly)

‘Mourning Orders attended to
on receipt of Telegram …’*
… – or text, or email? –
promptly without fail.

Sorrow supplied,
on demand:
our faces command
to feigned grief
for whoever has died,
or to mourn a cause that has crumbled,
or an ancient building that’s tumbled,
or a clever scheme that’s been rumbled –
mourners discreet
dressed soberly, neat
calamity and sadness displayed
by the way we’re arrayed;

or maybe such clothes
for yourself you desire –
provision of mourning attire
to display a formal deep gloom
a sign you’re bereaved,
deprived of a friend, sadly grieved,
(though maybe that one
who has died, and passed on
through trusting has now
to happiness gone) –
such clothes we can tailor up soon
– our records have figures
for height, chest and waist
we’ll attend to your orders in haste,

– on receipt of Telegram …
email or text …
who’s next?

[Poetry Monthly - work on found lists, ads, bills, etc.]

*I was intrigued and amused on stumbling on this advert (written out below, photo above) this week, in a very old (c1930s?) singing festival pamphlet. I thought it might be interesting to think around it in a September Poetry Monthly manner. Rhiannon

EVAN MORRIS & SONS,
40, Great Darkgate Street,
ABERYSTWYTH.
___________________

The Market for Male Attire.

...................................

From the Smallest to Biggest and Youngest to Oldest
at
Lowest Prices and Highest Value.
............................................
Mourning Orders attended to on receipt of
Telegram.
Telephone No. 154 Aberystwyth.
________________________________