Lonnie Hicks (www.lonniehicks.com / Chicago Ill)

I lay down
frilly covered
bouquet still
at my side;

lovely gown
arrayed

I lay down
rose petals all around
my arms at my side
my groom
outside
murmuring.

I am prepared
for this my surrender
or this my consummation;
this my mistake?

The Unknown?
The Alone?
The Bride.

Where do virginal brides go;
they hide in the rose petals
and wait.

I plucked a rose from
my bouquet-
gathered my
wits

and sat up on the bed
to walk to the door
to greet
my new husband;
face to face.

Bride I thought,
should stand up
because marriage now
means
more that courting;
marriage here begins
true partnership;
meet him at the door.