A Marriage Ceremony Poem by RIC BASTASA

i know even for the very first time that i have seen them.
when the groom lifted the white veil to kiss
her lips
she hesitated to close her eyes
his lips did not tremble in
excitement
at the last second when his lips touched
hers
he closed his eyes but very briefly
the touch was minimal
and then he took away love
back into his mouth
reverberating to his heart
where
indifference is beginning to
seed.

how i wish i could understand this ritual
this institution
of fusion where energy can not
and can never
be stored
potential at all.