Do Not Want To 1943 Poem by Terry Collett

And it's got to be
a double wedding
and things got hectic
making sure the dresses

were ready in time
and your sister was so nervous
she puked once
but the grooms were on leave

from the army
(soon to be dispatched
to England)
and you stood in your bedroom

at home while you mother
fussed about things
and your hair needs
more doing to it she said

your sister was in her bedroom
with our aunt Bess fussing over her
and you thought of Chuck
and what it would be like

later that day after the wedding
and you were in bed for the first time
and what to expect
and yes a double wedding

and double bedding
(different places of course)
and you are getting anxious
and bite your nails

and your mother says
don't bite your nails
so you stare at her
and wish maybe

you weren't marry Chuck
but instead Brad
who is in Italy fighting
and that time Brad and you

kissed out back of the house
and his lips and yours
pressed so tight
no air could get between

and you touched and hugged
but that's all you kept it clean
but now you're going
to marry Chuck

and you do not want to
have him at all.