An East End Libertine Eulogy

Ca. 1888

Gravestone of Catherine Eddowes

by Housewife4Palestine

Their were boroughs on this earth that where dark, dank, filthy
Where a woman to put food in her belly or get a bed
Takes a John around into the alley
Where she hikes the back of her shift for a quick poke
To get 6 pounds, to keep out of the workhouses.

After, maybe it would be better
To go down to the Ten Bells for a pint
The world will pass by for a while
Having a Jolly seems more pleasant.

She carries what soap and water don’t wash,
Even if she could afford
Being in her lungs and crotch
I guess it’s the price she must pay,
But she’s given half the wealthy blokes, Syphilis too.
This gives her a chuckle, for they made people like her.

Someday soon, she’ll be found laying on the sidewalk.
The bobby will try to haul her for being drunk, again
But death will have taken its hold on her
Causing her to be taken to Manor Park Cemetery,
To a twelve foot common grave.

The only mourners
Where a priest, who’d rather spit on her
A common law husband, who couldn’t work
And nary a tear was shed.