Queer mourners

by Elías Knörr

Queer mourners
rest beside the coffin
and fall asleep

natural though it might be
to simply say thanks and go home
no interest in further exchanges
                             after the ceremony

but they are so professionally
                                  and so exhaustingly
                                         sentimental

and yet,
no more servile
       than other workers 

the late customer needs closeness
and holds himself still as the grave

Translated by Meg Matich.
Originally appeared in EuropeNow journal.