For Debbie and Rusty

For Debbie and Rusty

A dusting of mist
Surrounds the vale of green,
The sun peering through in early morning wonder.

An arbor stands at the ready,
fashioned of raw redwood
Wreathed in hangings of daisied lace.

We watch in maiden fear
Those who gather on the fragrant grass
to view the oncoming salubrations.

You stand draped in chalky French net,
your bouquet of golden roses
Quivering gently in your pale fingers.

We wait with hearts leaping,
straining for the note on which
We emerge, dewy-eyed.

I hold my bouquet low,
eyes fixed on the chocolate coats
of the men who await us.

Clad in jonquil crepe
a fluttering of veiling shading my hair
on this day I am the maiden honorable.

I reach the lawn;
behind me you have begun the journey
which will end with him you love.

My breath rushes out in a sigh
When we reach the security of the arbor
and turn to beam on our assembled audience.

He is among them
I feel his icy blue eyes
fastened on me with sadness.

You reach my side,
we turn and face
a bevy of snapping flash bulbs.

My heart leaps in forbidden joy
Secure in my beauty on this day
and in his regret.

The minister speaks,
Honey words flowing
like waves of sweetness over me.

I take your amber roses
in exchange for the ring
You give to him with the auburn curls.

And he who was my love
Lowers his head in shame
and sheds one bitter tear.

Our love is gone,
But now, when I am bathed in joy
He knows the regret that came too late .

And I thank a higher power
who has taken a stern revenge
Where I knew I must not.

You turn to me,
Eyes clouded with love,
your slender hand clasped within his.

I am able to return your smile
though mine is fraught with hidden meaning
and fierce, inner satisfaction.

Today I am a maiden honorable,
but one day I will stand
draped in white French net.

Another has taken his place
but for him there will be none;
He has chosen life's lower pathway.

I follow you away,
my joy unbounded,
knowing your love to be whole.

Do not forsake your trust
in the one with the auburn curls,
he who is now your husband.

May God find him also true,
and may you never know
the fierce joy of unleashed revenge.

The bitterness which follows
rises like gall to the tongue,
and must be endured long.