Sylvia's Wedding

a distant cousin

tracing our family tree

forwarded to me, unexpectedly

an old monochrome photo

try as i might, i dug deep

to remember the day I was a

bridesmaid wearing a

full skirted dress which swept

softly across the bride's bedroom floor

there i was, age four

with my fair hair bobbed in waves

crowned with a garland of

tiny flowers, parading in lilac silk

(that i do know)

maybe that's where my fetish

for lilac and purple hues came from

what a to do

the sum of what sprung to mind and i'm

sure they didn't mean to be unkind

were my aunties laughing when

my tummy rumbled

i felt my cheeks blush again

creeping red and then my brother

of three screaming his head off

because he too wanted to be

a bridesmaid

that is the total of all i can recall

of Sylvia's grand top and tails marriage

which sadly ended in divorce

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, that’s a vivid recollection. And, the last stanza is the perfect capstone. Though we shouldn’t be surprised at the divorce, it hits hard here. So much depth and color in your poem, and yet the event means little to history it seems. Another fine poem.

[Chris Shaw]

I do love looking at old photos Robert. They are v certainly a source of inspiration. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

I'm the same, Chris. I'm the Ray family genealogist, and I have boxes upon boxes of old photos, including a few on tin, a hundred plus years old. In some ways, I'm glad I don't know the histories of all of them or the people on the edges. Sometimes it's better to make up what we see. Regardless, those old photos often make good poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. You can't help a wandering mind when you look at photos of relatives from the past. What I find fascinating is how they all dressed up in their Sunday best to have their picture taken. Booted, suited and some amazing hats embellished with ribbons and flowers. We are all so casual these days :)

[R.E. Ray]

Same here, Chris. I was just thinking about a black and white photo from the 1930s, all the men (German heritage) with mustaches, wearing suits and hats. The women wore dresses and had their hair in tight buns. There's probably a poem in there somewhere. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)

[Chris Shaw]

I'm sure there is a poem in there:) Enjoy the day.

[Stella Armour]

There is always a truth of reality in your writing Chris that we can relate to.

I was smiling at the thought of me as a bridesmaid too ..... what dreadful dresses we were made to wear lol

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Stella. Yes, like a puffed up
meringue. However on that day I believed I was a princess:) Your review lifts me.

[Neville]

such recollections help make the passing of years all the more worthwhile & the sharing of them so satisfying to lovers of words & truth .. like me .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

That pleases me so much Neville. Thank you for giving my bridesmaid days an airing.

[alan peter kelly]

Vivid.
Beautifully descriptive.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Appreciated.

Chris

[pinhead07]

It’s always a treat to read your poems with their vividness, this made me smile, I could imagine when you were four, made me laugh, at the part where your brother wanted to be a bridesmaid and frown at the ending. A well composed poem. :)))

[Chris Shaw]

Dear pinhead, I am so pleased you like my poetry and I certainly appreciate your visits. Thank you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story shared in poem dear Chris. I liked the old photos. Can take us back to good days and the bad days. Thank you for sharing the poem and the memory.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote. I love looking at old photographs too. The older the better. I find them fascinating and a good source of writing material. Your mind can just wander. Appreciating your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one and you are welcome dear Chris.

[Fran Marie]

Looking at Old photos
certainty bring fond
memories some of the nicest
and elaborate weddings with
all its fineries and fancy
trimmings sadly end in divorce
and some who elope without
much ado last a lifetime..
strange how that comes about

well written piece
here chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran. Yes sometimes it works out that way. The most expensive of weddings can end in failure while the elopements and tight budget weddings can last a lifetime. Love looking at old photographs. They are a good source of inspiration for writing. All good wishes across the miles.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

your most
welcome dear
Chris

[Just Kim]

Wow, such an emotional write here, so well expressed. Divorces stink so bad.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Kym. Yes divorce is unpleasabt for all concerned. This wedding didn't have a happy ending although I have to say I was happy to see little me in her bridesmaid outfit.

Chris

[Wild Rose]

Old photos and memories
Things long forgot > the lilac silk dress your bro wanting to be a bridesmaid - well he was only three

You brought back my aunt's wedding to her soldier boy > He had returned from Malta, and after a short leave was going back to Germany > Mum made her wedding dress using some printed silk dad had sent in a parcel from whevere he was stationed > i was a page boy or something > I had to wear my Sunday best suit (Short trousers)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Wild Rose for calling and sharing your own memories of weddings long gone. Yes, Sunday best. Everyone dressed up to have their picture taken back then. Hope you are your lady are OK.

Chris

[Wild Rose]

your story brought it back - clothes rationing - make do and mend
Old curtains made into coats - and such

[Lorry]

But I bet you remembered every detail at the time, as you played grown up in a world we'd all too soon know, knows no grownups exist.
I wonder what your brothers memories of this scene would be... You should phone him right now and ask 😀

[Chris Shaw]

It was a very grown up day. My Dad told me to behave and mind my p's and q's. As for my brother, sadly no longer with us, but my youngest brother roared with laughter when I told him that big Steve (and he was as a grown up) wanted to be with the bridesmaids and was taken out of the church screaming his head off. Kids at weddings eh? Thank you Lorry. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Lorry]

I remember being jealous of my sisters communion, as they looked like brides, where we looked like boymen in weird white shorts worn once and a hideous red tie.
Anfd no, before you ask... All photographic evidence has been destroyed 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Now that is a great pity. I felt a poem might follow :))

[Lorry]

Ha....... No! 🤓

[Jimmy Yetts]

Have always liked "lilac and purple hues."
When I was in kindergarten, the class was assigned a scene of mother, father and baby
to color. I crayoned everything and everybody purple. Naturally, I did not receive
a gold star for my "radical interpretation." Nor did I deserve one.
The broken vow of divorce is a cancer on society.
Still, your precious childhood wedding remembrances thoroughly charm the reader.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. I love that you crayoned everything and anyone purple. I do love the lilacs and purples so much myself. So appreciate your thoughtful reviews.

Chris