free treasure - wedding poem Sarah and Jonathan

she wears her grandmother’s dress 

with fifty-six buttons up the back 

he in a blue suit with a bowtie

hand in hand they walk down the grassy aisle 

in this shady grove 

on this hot day in August 

while a trio of women sing of 

free treasure 

this love so available 

so there for the taking 

so stunning 

so life giving 

to commit to a long walk down 

many paths 

   some green 

      some steep 

         some rocky 

            some winding 

leading to deeper wells providing clear cold water 

as we dance hot night through with Oma looking on 

smiling

wedding poem XIII - Matthew and Lynette

bach arpeggios ring sanctuary

and little barefoot boy

soft blonde curls ringing around hearts

runs aisle

ring pillow aloft

tiny white tuxedo coming off the shoulder 

and then small hands carefully drop

white silk love on carpet

waiting for feet of pilgrims

to walk the petalled path

to the place of promises ringing

each to each

voices wavering but strong

calling for celebrations filled

with piracies and dance

fancy clothes and shoes doffed

as we hold the fingered rings aloft and sing

wedding poem XII - Josiah and Christa

strand of pink yarn

(the old story)

tied in bow

around white napkin

tightly wrapped around

knifeforkspoon

pink sash encircles waist

of young woman

walking toward stage

of historied auditorium

pink bowtie graces neck

of young man

walking towards her

bearded chin forward

and then we sing

a cappella

filling aged space

with vital voices

needing no help to lift the harmony

up and up

until it rests in heaven

which beams down grace enough

to bless this earnest union

now bound together

by the bright yarn of love

wedding poem XI: Lisa and Kent

come my beloved

let us go

they tell each other with shining eyes

and us friends who witness

ancient words

spoken and sung

in ancient rite of

joining together

and looking forward

facing future

grasping bouquets of dried lavender

or wheat

harvest of love

heady aroma of joy

and when unity candle is lit

a butane lighter does the trick

because we all need help

on this journey

to the vineyards

where we give our selves

fully 

adoramus te (Wedding Poem X) Philip and Felicitas

thick ancient walls

recessed windows

faded frescos

echo voices

clear      angelic

overlapping and dancing

in rarified holy air

of radiant lovers’ vows

made facing imposing wooden cross

simple vase of roses

and two thick candles

burning with the e/motion of the moment

congregation sings praise to the Lord

smiles and tears overlap and dance

in morning air

with wire hearts of children

hanging in delight

and these thick walls remember these notes

of covenant and joy

as they tumble

echo

and live

in love and praise

Wedding Poem IX: Allison and Landon

globes suspend

                    under vaulted ceiling

dark purple                 yellow               white

and we dance and chat

                    words filling

                                         this created space of celebration where

two have become

                    love becoming more

coming into the green screen picture

of this Big Bang creation

this fertile globe suspended

                    in the vast vaulting heavens

                    created by a word

where little girls

in little purple dresses

spin smiling to ode to joy

because it was proclaimed

and it was very good

Ubi Caritas - Wedding Poem VII - Gerald and Lisa

she sits

he kneels

basin between

pitcher

white towel

wonder

these elements

he takes bare feet

clear water pouring

gentle caresses

and then the exchange

she kneels in wedding gown

beauty                  grace

takes off black shoes

abundant water

washing

these acts of servanthood

new rings glistening with clear droplets

in the background

Thomas sings

Ubi Caritas

ritual repetition

                charity

                love

                God

and we listen

                broken bread on our tables

these first fruits form foundation

wedding poem #6 - Brian and Dinah

green is growth

life

       summer 

white is clouds drifting

in endless sky 

brown is the solid trunk

of firmly rooted trees 

two hands

with two gold rings

light two candles and move them together

so they share one flame

tied by a circle of green  

playful strings colour harmony  

and then

feast

toast

dance 

ever green

wedding poem V - Tim and Rachel

braided rope with

three

strong

strands

made of

yellow roses

white ruffles

sunflowers

binds these two wanderers

and winds around band of witnesses  

singing spring as they walk together

through petals

 to open doors leading to sunshine

and blue sky  

cold seeds awakening

in May

petals clinging to shoes

wedding poem IV - Kailey and Erny

lone piper stands in afternoon sun

ancient pibroch glinting grass and trees

on           expansive           lawn 

army jeep appears          carrying bride

gown and purple sneakers

smiling camero groom awaits 

this yard is a garden of love today

as steady drone and bright melody join as one

and a highland father looks down from above

and smiles

Wedding Poem #3 - Nick and Chantelle

grains of coloured sand
poured out
into glass vase – your life together
time
not one alike
pieces of yourselves

petals dropped
songs sung
vows taken
papers signed
all with wide smiles
--------like moonbeams glowing

now the outpouring
and mixing
taking turns

and yet each grain retains its own
colour character
giving beauty to the
mosaic of marriage

Wedding Poem #2 - Jen and Doug

shimmering water glints sunlight behind flowered archway as
two hold hands and become one
this lake
where hundreds of makeshift boats were built
waiting for spring
to reach dreams of gold

here now
an exchange of gold rings
and dreams of a life in Dawson

and we follow along
walking the red carpet
blowing bubbles of brightness in the hot sun

and we dance the dance of dreams
our hearts shimmering
with the endless daylight of the north

Wedding Poem #1 - Jarryde and Nancy

mountain magic marriage
drizzle descends as groom and bride enter shelter with parents
a wistful letting go

rain patters roof during vows
but we hear the love and commitment
shining through tears and stumbles

rain stops in time for exit
and sun shines on merry mountain
as we grip hands and throw rose petals of pink wishes

chilly evening descends as glasses raise in tribute
but bodies warm to the dance
into the mystic magic mountain of life