Click here to hear the poet read his words:
Wedding Day Blues
the ice was cracked and spiky
the glass was smashed and green
the water black and filthy
but her hands were soft and clean
he was tall and wore a soft felt hat
he stood in front of the TV
no one could see the wedding scene
so they turned to torture me
the bride was bathed and lovely
her lingerie was white and fresh
the window was wide open
so I watched her as she dressed
he was in a smoked-glass limousine
we hadn’t met in twenty years
when they replayed the honeymoon
the men were all reduced to tears
a cloakroom overflowing
with hats and scarves and gloves
our long black coats showed danger signs
as they dragged across the dust
she said come back here later
I will take you to my room
there were cats and kittens everywhere
she thought I was the groom
she said she’d have them all removed
I will make it spick and span
if you will lie with me tonight
you will always be my man
I was too old to be there
I left quietly while she slept
the sky was dark the stars were bright
I was happy yet I wept
