Wed Now

A wedding is an event.

When does it happen?

The programme says from 5:00 to 5:15.

During this time each takes the other’s hand, trembling unseen.

Tears come not from rings sliding onto fingers,

but nervous smiles, fast breathing, the sudden flesh of hands:

nerves from witnessing the pair’s nerves from being witnessed.

The crowd of eyes makes the scene,

made swirling with liquid,

trying to flood the blocky tension of everything

in its place.

Later drunken friends of relatives say

time doesn’t exist.

What is an event after several cocktails?

The ceremony actually takes place at 5:20 at least.

Over the officiant cars scrape expansively by.

Greenery glares behind their shaded forms.

What happens?

The bride’s mother must happen,

narrative weight bearing down on her.

She watches the last dance like steam rising from sweat.