Member Poem

The dim church has a worn flagstone floor
which laps at the bride’s train
like a kid sucking froth from a warm vanilla milkshake.

The groom’s cheeks are red as fenland carrots;
he sweats a rich, distilled ale that
breaks in patches on his morning suit.

A baby in a lilac cotton dress is fretful
and times her cries precisely
to drown out the "I do."

Outside, thunderbugs fluster the photographer
and well-pressed children play unconcerned
around lopsided gravestones.

Sunbeat figures shelter under dense yews;
women secretly compare their hats
and men begin to glaze and thirst.

At the sit-down meal, the conversation’s awkward
and fat ladies eat chocolate cake,
slowly, with oversized spoons.

The disco’s retro.
Lithe lovers and old-shoe couples sip shorts,
while skinny girls in bright, sequined tops try to dance.

The ceremony fades and wedded vows kick in,
with greasy chicken drumsticks, plastic chairs,

and cool June evening air.

(The 2003 Voice & Verse Love Poetry Competition, Runner-up)