That ancient Greek word
"Upon the bridal chamber"
Celebrates a marriage
Without a single poetic form.
Like "you're getting married today,
Best of luck and good wishes!"
(You'll need it, since half of the marriages
Today end in divorce!)
I wonder if Sappho had this in mind
When the ancient Greeks sang songs
Right outside the bedroom of the honeymooners?
Today, our epithalamiums as they were
Are typically offered up as free-wheeling
Inebrieated toasts on some scratchy microphone
Left over from an old karaoke machine
By someone who is well-meaning
And should have just stayed home.
(Never to appear outside of the bridal suite!)
Perhaps as a witness in court
At the time of the divorce.
Maybe an epitaph would be more in order.

03/13/2006

Posted on 03/14/2006
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