It took a village
We dressed the tent ( mercifully a marquee, withstood the gales and rain, cold in torrents)
with greenery fresh-picked
twined and twisted, looped on Ros’s rope
tastefully in swags, plus careful placement, roses
white and blue and Tory-conference ribbons
floppy bows
and all night long the weather did its worst
but no one’s spirits flagged.
Undampened in our finery we gathered in the street
separate and masked, happy but no hugs
when arm in arm and radiant
the couple came
the bride in 50s Hepburn frock, the groom
proud of his prize,
Isn’t she lovely!
Lady Beverley, smiles and dimples
deep and bright today.
And so the village, all the friends
from Léran and Beyond
together on this day, so many skills
profiterole perfection, lights lit
Zoom by magic, bringing the whole world here
tears shed and shared, Canada and England, France
Linda and Nicky, their perfect words
Jean, click click Canon, Mairie, bridge, château.
So finally across the many miles
years and tears, separation isolation
WhatsApp zoom and heroncam
it took a village, all of us, love and friendship
hands virtual and real together held
more marvellous in the midst of gloom
the joy and laughter
such a perfect day
their wedding day today.
October 4th 2020 Hounoux, for John and Beverley
Doing what you do best Sally, describing all hands to the deck and the joy to follow. I saw the photos, it did look wonderful. How nice to have a poem to share the memory.
ReplyDeleteJohn, the groom, tried to tell me how the poem had affected him. He said ‘there are no words’ but he and Beverley cried as they read it together. It was a magical day and I’m so pleased to have captured the memory.
ReplyDeleteCan only echo what Jude has said. I loved your line 'hands virtual and real together held'. A real coming together. xx
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