you look so small
standing on chapel stage
repeating words
from pastor
you’ve only just met
in church 
you have never attended

I want to tell you
you will regret this 

cake your godmother
baked in shape of 
record player

dress your aunt
sewed without measurements-
purely from memory
of your child body
that has not changed
so much

you will wish 
you had not met 
the man
handing you glass
of champagne

ray charles song
you’ll always
be quick to change 
as soon as the first
chords play 
from your radio 

I want to beg you
let him go
so you never know
what he will do to you

but even from here
years from now
it is clear
how much
you wanted him
to love you