Your most tender soul, one said.
Worthy of the happiness
 we created, said the other.
When they choked up
during their vows,
complete stillness
among the crowd.  Take all
 the time you need
 the stillness said.  We understand.  

We understand this declaration
before friends and family. 
Well, chosen family.   No relatives here –
one family dead, the other
willing to have dinner
on Sundays by now, but not
to condone the marriage. 
They missed the most 
buoyant wedding, a diverse lot
of over a hundred people
to celebrate and affirm this joining.  
Smiles and tears gathered
under one glorious shade tree
wide enough to embrace us all.