AFTER A WEDDING.

A BOY AND GIRL AND THEIR LOVE IN 1963.

After singing in the choir
at the major’s daughter’s wedding

you were all invited
to the posh reception

and you watched
the other guests

move around
the gardens and marquees

feeling rather out
of your class and league

and then she came
along side you and said

maybe one day
we can get married

like the major’s daughter
and have children

and be happy
and not have to feel

out of our class
and utterly lonely

and not have
my mother breathing

down my neck
to marry some schmuck

and you said
who knows maybe

and you smiled
and she put her arm

through yours
and you walked together

amongst the guests
and other members

of the church choir
beneath the summer sun

not knowing then
that it was not to be

that she would marry another
under a different sky

and not live
happy ever after

but get cancer
and die.