The End of the Beginning

sadness in the midst of celebration

The End of the Beginning

 

Tying the knot on a summer’s eve, a hot breeze barely cools

green lawn with Hudson River backdrop, hills beyond

bride veiled in white organza takes our breath away

groom, all smiles, eagerly awaits her splendid entrance

family members first, followed by the alluring white-laced young lady

vows eye to eye with awe-inspiring words of promised love

emotions, tears of delight saturate the humid air

 

plaudits, toasts, laughter, and an undertone of melancholy

she sits hunched in her wheelchair, attired in a purple dress

mother of the groom, stately, beautified, yet nearly within reach

of her demise

she bestows her last, splendid parlance

that echoes throughout the ballroom

then watches half eyes as the bridal couple dance and smooch all evening

 

The immensely awaited honeymoon aborts

mother fails quickly and painlessly

now surrounded by the bride, groom, and close family

she gently takes her last breath

a life ends, a life begins

 

Reviews

[MCS]

An elegant read at the end you had me in tears. I humbly bow my head to you dear poet.

[Betty Hermelee]

An amazing review, yet sorry for the tears... this is my granddaughter's wedding in June!; thank you endlessly,
Warmly, B

[Glen Weimann]

Eloquently said Betty, the circle of life, or better perhaps the revolving door. The 'undertone of melancholy' is where it turns, and even there it could be the melancholy of losing a loved 'child' to their new life partner, a bit like 'Slipping through my fingers' in Mamma Mia. But this is the dying swan, within sight of the Hudson and the hills, her son happy, music and friends, while her 'half eyes' world is darkening. Oh, those inevitable revolving doors .... Well seen, well pictured! Thanks, Glen (Nigel)

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you so much for a deep understanding of this poem and you excellent review, much appreciated!
Warmly,
B😊

[Pete]

love the title and meaning. such a simultaneous contrast. sad and telling. life really is short. probably why thoreau wrote, "You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." well said.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Pete...this is all true and very bittersweet..
A lovely review
Warmly, B

[Efxaris Arampatzi]

I love this poem. It captures the deep beauty and complexity of life’s turning points, weaving love and loss together with quiet grace. The contrast between the wedding’s joy and the mother’s final moments is powerful and moving. It’s reflective, emotional, and gently reminds us of life’s fragile balance. This is a wonderfully written and deeply touching piece.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much for a very thoughtful review, I appreciate it!
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

The circuit of life is contained in this look at a wedding. The opening lines are all youth, with a look at a young couple at their summer nuptials. Most attention is on the bride in her joy in this important step in her life. She is dressed all in white. Nearby, though, sits her aged mother in a wheelchair. Mom is attired in purple. It is appropriate, because we are told the honeymoon is interrupted by the mother's demise in the presence of her daughter and son in law. Such is life. Let us bask in our joys while we can.

[Betty Hermelee]

A very nice review with a lovely ending John
Thank you!
Warmly, B

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

A beautiful write I love it 😻

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Julie , so happy you enjoyed it; hope all is well in your part of the world….😊👍read moreThank you Julie , so happy you enjoyed it; hope all is well in your part of the world….😊👍
Warlmy
B🌷

[W. Barrett Munn]

Hi, Betty,

This is lovely and displays s deft touch on a tricky subject. “nearly within reach of her demise” is especially skilled.

One of your diction choices didn’t ring true to me, a word this sophisticated narrator wouldn’t use: smooch just doesn’t sound like the rest of the diction.

Don’t take that wrong. It’s a fine poem.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Winston for a fine review; so glad you are reviewing my work once more… Warmly
B😊😊

[Chris Shaw]

A beautifully penned poem of contrasts here dear Betty. Fabulous word choice. Beginnings and endings, light and dark, happiness and sadness, youth and age. A very touching account of a wedding that brought many emotions to the scene. Loved it.

Chris 🌹

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Chris for your heartfelt review, I appreciate it...hope you are well, have a glorious weekend,
Warmly, B

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is touching and powerful. It beautifully shows the joy of a beautiful beginning the sadness of a goodbye, all in one moment. The emotions feel real, full of love, loss, and new beginnings. Truly moving.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Ayesha for a very honest and moving review!😊
Warmly
B🌷

[Ayesha Faiz]

Very welcome. :)

[emmajoygreen]

Seems life and its events are a patchwork of light and dark, good and bad, kind and ugly and such is the sad content of your wonderful but sad poem. My cousin and her fiance married the day after her aunt, our little mum died, because we all said she wouldnt have wanted to cause unhappiness on such a precious day. A horde of us shed tears then later applauded and laughed and said that auntie Meg would have smiled all through the day and maybe would have enjoyed the second dance with a new-to-the- family young man! Real life means making best of the worst.. of any kind. And that can happen. Your writing is near beautiful as sadness can be. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Betty Hermelee]

You are the best! What a beautiful review dear Em, most appreciated and millions of hugs🌷🌷🥰

[emmajoygreen]

Dear Betty I had written incorrectly because the whole upset me to recall.. forgive please. Is now corredted. Please fee free to respond however your want to.. am so sorry.

[Betty Hermelee]

Sorry about what, no apologies please; I love it when someone can relate in a bi way… you are my dear friend!!!
Hugs💕😊

[emmajoygreen]

(((( Betty ))))