Another poem I'm afraid.
I scribbled down the bones of this on my smartphone whilst under the influence at my friend's wedding reception back in January. I've tried it a couple of times since and come up with nothing so it's not a recommended method.
It's been sitting and waiting to be finished for a couple of months but having finally sat down I've only made very small adjustments and solved the troublesome verse by removing it.
It was a lovely occasion anyway and I hope that comes across.
The Wedding
The rain leaves diamonds on the windows
and past-your-bedtime children dart like swallows
beneath roof beams and across the polished floor.
There are wine glassed haloes on the tablecloths
As squeezed-into jackets ago are eased off
And trouser tops are discretely unbuttoned
Remembrances are chewed fondly over,
tall stories and big plans and our might-be and maybes
as new memories are laid down like whisky.
All our days are woven together for this one day
to be folded and packed as neatly as Sunday best
and to brought out and held up to the light in days to come
Women stand heron heeled in corners.
Grown giddy and gaggled as schoolgirls
Taking tonight’s chance to be someone less well worn
The dancers move to oldies from way back when
(is it really twenty years? I used to hate this then but now it sounds ok.)
The songs remembered as fondly as old enemies.
Watches are checked and babysitters discretely consulted
Hugs, promises and smiles swapped or given
We won’t leave it this long again, surely
Outside taxies cluster like fireflies,
The guests scatter like the confetti in the chill air
As the last record sings ‘you can't hurry love.’
David Millington
27th May 2013
Nottingham
