Poem 518

Based on a true story as they say … the critical moments when our responsibility for ourselves becomes too much …

Wedding Morning

The bridegroom's party is elsewhere
another house
on the pretext of bad luck
which suits them both
a few phone calls
pre-function drinks in the sun
out on the deck

things are different here
something deeper than just the feeling
of every detail being crucial
of losing something in a daze
all these things to do
and she has to think
think

this is when the mother
works her business
cajoling
                waiting for the moment
when the good shake
will be due
bridesmaids are there
to marshal her past the point
and down the other side

tonight
she will tell him about it
but only the facts
he'll never know the girl
who burnt her dress with the iron
three times