After the wedding vows May 14, 2013

 


 

They all pretend to be happy, under the façade of a wedding reception, wedding ring, wedding gown, tossed bouquet and pot roast, along with lunch time tea, me with jeans too tight and with a bag full of notebooks over my shoulder, photographers roaming the premises, snapping shots of significant moments, the rattle of pots and pans from the kitchen, thick rugs decorating all the rooms, a record player along with a bottle of record cleaner, boss and friends tossing bocce balls outside on the lawn, dust on the mantle piece where framed photographs depict a life, marking successful moment with plaques and prizes, drinks spread on the coffee table, the scent of spices I don’t recognize, the book shelf cluttered with abandoned waterglasses through which I can see the spine of books., brass pots in the corner, a dirty sock lost in the bathroom along with the his and hers towels, green spider plants with crusted edges drooping over the still steamy windows, records spread on a corner of the couch, a baby in the baby’s room, underwear, face powder, colognes and face power boxes in the master bedroom, the crumpled (perhaps stained sheets) full of grins, laced men’s shoes guarding one side of the queen size bed, pealing paint throughout these rooms, finger marks near the door frames and on the walls, a bottle of uncorked whisky with shot glasses laying siege around it, house key under the corner of the mat at the door, morning oozing into midday, memory of afterwork hugs, afternoon naps, drawn shades, rubber maid containers, band aid wrappers, occasional jars of house cleaners, a list of chores yet undone, phone calls to be made, shopping malls to trek to, perhaps reminders for walks in the park, nights in the dark, hallways full of haze, temptation hidden under the hem of her dress, or her slightly revealing blouse, closet hanging with his and hers imitation furs, high heels, the air filled with laughing squeals, knickknacks on corner tables, this or than under the stacks of childhood paperbacks, loose change, a feeling of strange, shot fights, quick flights, hurt, dirt, love, too much stuff under the smiles and miles and lungs puffed up with hot hair, threat of rain, she looking out at the sky, still unsure.


 Menu for 2013

 


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