they sprinkled them in confetti
but he didn’t look convinced
pickled with doubt
where lays the rout of the mind?

paper shapes
made blood rivers in the rain
the town hall steps
painted once again
in lovers leaps
to the unknown

she held a bouquet
like the crown jewels
he clenched
could still feel the wrench of freedom
and the stag night was a monkey
that jammed the works
berserk goings on, office clerks on his back
little busty piglets in a brat pack jibe
giving it their very last to him
exchanging kisses of course
for cameras
optimism on the left
doubt on the right thing to do

the hired suit had begged its victim
and happiness challenged its pessimism
asking it to have hope in future affairs
it’s the way he wears it
such sullen smiles should fare better
even on rainy days
she loves him, its obvious
on her hen night in late, eleven
no rubber toys or 'L' plates, heaven
she had a civilised celebration
in a close friend restaurant, four of them
bliss was him tucked up
domestic pup, she shall train
he shall fit in and feign
as he plays her into shape
the confetti had reached the kerbside
it had become attached to juvenile usher boys shoes
they ran amok
and the colour bled into block pavements
asphalt not gold
he picked up the bride carried her
in arms fold
to the carriage that eagerly waits
the chauffeur taps a toe and presses a pedal plate
automatically moving forward in borrowed luxury
the happy couple sink into tan leather
leave streamers, string and tin cans tied to telephones
bizarre production line for the wedding clones
the town hall disappears from rear view
he picks at wedding bell figurines on his shoe
wondering what they are for.




2009 Pete Crompton
for Winston duet.