The Arrangement

"Speak now", the preacher says. I hold my peace.
Forever is so long... but time runs out.
I've failed to carpe diem, failed to seize.
Beset by possibilities and doubt
I dare not stop the knot from getting tied,
and everybody breaks into applause.
The preacher's celebrates with "kiss the bride".
but it is timid, there's an awkward pause,
as if the lips that must be joined at last
are doing so unwillingly, at best,
uncertain of the future and the past,
and hoping it's not real, it's just a test.
But it is real enough, and hope is buried.
"Smile, silly!" mommy whispers. "You are married!"