The Wedding
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bruised corpses of carnations and irises
litter the dance floor
tattered streamers in complementary shades
of violet and teal
droop from the ceiling and chairs
lay torn
drunken guests straggle away
behind the band

of course she was lovely and he dapper
the wine and the music flowed in generous libations
they made vows to love each other for always
or until they tired of one another
speeches toasts a sea of potato salad
a ravenous horde of great-aunts and uncles
sea-green balloons, exquisitely arched
draped over them like a downturned smile
and everyone said the he was handsome
such a fine catch for the lucky girl

deflated shattered latex and mylar
cover the sticky ground
cigarette butts fill the half-drained plastic cups
splash into trash bags
with mop and broom we attack the debris
wipe away the traces of matrimony
the couple has gone to their new life
the guests have fled

god bless this holy union
god bless this holy mess

5/14/98