Weddings

Life has a way of echoing itself
in low, long lullabies
that lap the ears in nostalgic waves;
bringing into focus an auditory lens
that prods the heart to remember.

So when I hear you two
wrapping your words around each other
in warm encouraging embraces,
fragments of an old song come to mind:

…

The panting staccato breaths
of a young man defying distance to
serenade his love.

The pop popping of bursting corn
or the chop chopping of the cheese knife;
the fine trickle of champagne
or the splash of an ice cream ball in a mocha shake.

The soundless sounds of ideas incubating
and then hatching in the resplendent
roar of fireworks that only youth could discharge.

An opera sung by crickets and cicadas
on a warm summer night
as lovers lay in cheap soft seats
on the lawn of the backyard,
illuminated by the lilting light of fireflies
who offer their silent service free of charge.
The bridal march:
the crescendo of the song,
but a green beginning.

Under the chuppa, encircled by love,
each holding on to a sacred self
and reaching out to the other;
pledging hearts, minds, souls,
and, between the lines,
a reproductive heyday of
flowers, vegetables, and children;
careers, papers, and travels;
and all life’s finery to fashion and to share.

…

And now, the echo of those days enjoyed
reverberates under a new chuppa,
in a tender time and a pleasing place,
as I watch the flower of our joint promises
ready herself to begin a journey.

It is my turn to weave a circle of love
around you and your beloved,
to quietly anticipate the struggles and the joys that lie ahead;
to wrap you packages of wisdom,
playfulness, trust, respect,
caring and creativity;
as well as recipes for baking bread and sipping soup,
and a map for navigating yourselves through
the magical maze called marriage.

So, let the tapestry unfold
in vibrant hues of blue and green:
a scene of trumpeters and musicians
calling forth the bride and groom
to exchange their vows and rings
in a multigenerational procession that links past to present
and whispers pledges to posterity.
Let’s celebrate this day,
an invitation to validate and witness the dedication
of love and trust.
And let’s celebrate this pair:
Roseanne and Daniel
ןאליד לאינדו הנח לחר
Bride and Groom
Woman and Man
Daughter and Son
Sister and Brother
Granddaughter and Grandson
Roseanne Friend and Dan Friend.

May you sing ivy love songs,
lush, robust, enduring,
whose roots nourish and sustain each one and both of you.

May your melodic rhythms
swell your garden in a joyous medley
of discovery about yourselves, each other,
and life’s mysteries.

And may you one day revel,
like my love and I,
in the rich resounding concerts of your own creations.

Love,

Mom
September 30, 2001

(Lynn R. Benjamin)

I read this poem to Roseanne and Daniel on their wedding day on September 30, 2001. Although their marriage did not last,  they had three wonderful children together whom they co-parent. I also believe that in their journey together, they learned a lot about themselves.