Sylvia's Wedding

a distant cousin

tracing our family tree

forwarded to me, unexpectedly

an old monochrome photo

try as i might, i dug deep

to remember the day I was a

bridesmaid wearing a

full skirted dress which swept

softly across the bride's bedroom floor

there i was, age four

with my fair hair bobbed in waves

crowned with a garland of

tiny flowers, parading in lilac silk

(that i do know)

maybe that's where my fetish

for lilac and purple hues came from

what a to do

the sum of what sprung to mind and i'm

sure they didn't mean to be unkind

were my aunties laughing when

my tummy rumbled

i felt my cheeks blush again

creeping red and then my brother

of three screaming his head off

because he too wanted to be

a bridesmaid

that is the total of all i can recall

of Sylvia's grand top and tails marriage

which sadly ended in divorce

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, that’s a vivid recollection. And, the last stanza is the perfect capstone. Though we shouldn’t be surprised at the divorce, it hits hard here. So much depth and color in your poem, and yet the event means little to history it seems. Another fine poem.

[Chris Shaw]

I do love looking at old photos Robert. They are v certainly a source of inspiration. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

I'm the same, Chris. I'm the Ray family genealogist, and I have boxes upon boxes of old photos, including a few on tin, a hundred plus years old. In some ways, I'm glad I don't know the histories of all of them or the people on the edges. Sometimes it's better to make up what we see. Regardless, those old photos often make good poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. You can't help a wandering mind when you look at photos of relatives from the past. What I find fascinating is how they all dressed up in their Sunday best to have their picture taken. Booted, suited and some amazing hats embellished with ribbons and flowers. We are all so casual these days :)

[R.E. Ray]

Same here, Chris. I was just thinking about a black and white photo from the 1930s, all the men (German heritage) with mustaches, wearing suits and hats. The women wore dresses and had their hair in tight buns. There's probably a poem in there somewhere. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)

[Chris Shaw]

I'm sure there is a poem in there:) Enjoy the day.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you still have that memory...even if the marriage didn't work out, you still have that snapshot,
and can laugh about it now.
I couldn't help but think of another Sylvia as i read this.
another marriage that ended in divorce...and a young girl who never thought she was quite good enough.
I love how you bring this photo to life with your words,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob, and of course I know who else you were thinking of when you read my lines. I do love looking at old photos.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

The best laid plans of men and church mice often
go astray when organ music plays...
But flower girls of age four leave petals in the aisle
where one day she will also smile and hopefully
give birth eventually to other little boys and girls
who will venture into wedding vows until the sun sets
in the west after bringing a legacy of love and ever after.
tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat for your lovely poetic response. I get so much from looking at old photos. Have a great week-end.

Chris

[moog-drika]

Started with happy memories, ended with something sad. But I think the mix of both is all about life. It shouldn't stop anyone. I love the way you put your emotions on this write. It's lovely.
You know how to include outsiders like us in your memory and make us witness it as if we were there too.
Love it!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you moog-drika. Really appreciate your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

It's odd the way memory works. I keep a journal and I have noted when looking at entries from only ten years ago that I don't remember a thing about the events described. I don't know if I could recall a thing about my stone age childhood without a hypnotist's help, but you seem to have recalled a good deal of this wedding when you were four. Supposedly, everything is filed in the subconscious, but you have to know how to access it. On the other hand, some of it you might not want to revisit.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right about memory. Some of it you want to remain in that dark cupboard never to see light of day again. The more I concentrated on the photograph, the more the day flooded back. Many thanks John for your visit.

Chris

[Lale]

That's beautiful dear Christine. I have a couple of theories concerning the use of divorce at the end. 1- Divorce is indeed bad, but nothing could ruin a happy memory. 2- Nothing lasts forever, not even a happy memory.
It's always a pleasure reading your memories, dear Christine. You're a good storyteller. You should consider writing short stories.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lale for sharing your valued thoughts with me. Good to have you on my page :) Have a great weekend.

Chris

[Lale]

The pleasure is mine. Have a nice weekeed. :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Ah, those good old days remembered when some distant relative sends you something of note. Then all the details of that one thing, in this case a photo, bring back those memories. You have described this piece in great detail, down to the rumbling tummy, and the brother who wanted to be a bridesmaid. Lovely write Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. There is always a story in a photograph. I really liked seeing me as a bridesmaid as there were no photos of our own on this side of the family. Have a good weekend.

Chris