I lay down <br />frilly covered <br />bouquet still <br />at my side; <br /> <br />lovely gown <br />arrayed <br /> <br />I lay down <br />rose petals all around <br />my arms at my side <br />my groom <br />outside <br />murmuring. <br /> <br />I am prepared <br />for this my surrender <br />or this my consummation; <br />this my mistake? <br /> <br />The Unknown? <br />The Alone? <br />The Bride. <br /> <br />Where do virginal brides go; <br />they hide in the rose petals <br />and wait. <br /> <br />I plucked a rose from <br />my bouquet- <br />gathered my <br />wits <br /> <br />and sat up on the bed <br />to walk to the door <br />to greet <br />my new husband; <br />face to face. <br /> <br />Bride I thought, <br />should stand up <br />because marriage now <br />means <br />more that courting; <br />marriage here begins <br />true partnership; <br />meet him at the door.<br /><br />Lonnie Hicks<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rose-bouquets/
