simple dress edged in lace with cowgirl boots
groom and attendants wore camo and tanks

the hot sun blazed on nervous distances
absences due to death and circumstance

soft-spoken vows of joy and sadness
a father sat alone, his dance complete

someone forgot the ice and hotdog buns
dog booted to his kennel for growling

the blue pool beckoned the weary children
while the adults worked through the rituals

the sunflower bouquet finally tossed
she jumped in, water sluicing off shoulders

skirt floating up like a water lily 
like a veil