A Wedding Poem

A Wedding Poem

I. Leaving Home

The dogs will strain

against long chains

teeth bared and collars jangling

as though they had license

to keep us all fearful

behind drawn shades

He's late for school

older brother already waiting

there in the street

his chain won't reach

past the sidewalk

brother says, and adds I'll

carry you if you like

but the carrying never touches

the fear

and each man has two families:

the one that bore him

and the one he will bear

II. Learning to Play

The notes will jumble

a tune that won't be seized

and the song of the soul

is never the song of the ear

except when ears are the ears

of those who love us best

She's hard at work

short fingers stretching

to find the keys

but more than that, to wrest

a harmony, a peace from clamor

and mother smiles

That's beautiful dear

but the family piano could never

sound bad

and each woman renders two songs:

the one she was taught

and the one she composes