the wedding list

the wedding list

you have a crate of vodka,
you plan to hide in the bridal suite,
‘just for the family’.

Dad’s been to France,
and filled a Vauxhall estate
with cheap wine and cigarettes.

the groom thought he’d done well –
leather shoes from Ebay.
but you made him send them back
after your sister realised.

you have two
bridesmaids - there was to be a third -
but you’d forgotten
about the birthmark,
and you’ve ‘the photos to think about’.

and then there’s the photographer.
the one that Laura and Tom
couldn’t afford for their wedding.

you have a child on the way
(whether or not it’s the groom’s
is not for me to say),
but you’ve planned enough frills
to tuck the bump away.
and your dress, is designer.
and so much finer,
than Tilly’s dress
last season.

and your Mum’s not well,
but you’ve insisted she do the flowers.
she’ll be up for hours,
but with enough make-up,
‘no one will tell.’

and the venue,
is out of town
nestling among green hills,
and i doubt the marriage
will last as long,
as it’ll take to pay the bills.

you’ve got a DJ,
and ‘honestly no one minds’
that it’s Tim.
and ‘just to be clear’
you are sure you know now,
he wasn’t the one
who gave you gonorrhea.

and now you’ve got each other,
friends that ran out of time.
who looked first at the clock,
and then at each other,
and thought we can build a day
around mime.