7/31/2019 After the Ceremony

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After the Ceremony

On that day

I saw two

of our group

Detach themselves

from the formal gathering

and walk

Very slowly

to the pool

in front of the restaurant.

They were there

to celebrate,

had come

A great distance,

wished a moment

between themselves

After the ceremony.

I did not follow.

Through the glass

of the bars window,

I watched them;

She, closest to the water,

he, gap-toothed,

uncharacteristically silent.

They did not seem

to be a couple

for a moment.

They were just

two old people

exploring the shore

Of a man-made pool,

their eyes casting overtransplanted evergreens

And weed-less lawn.

7/31/2019 After the Ceremony

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Slowly, for no reason,

she lifted

her eyes up

From the water

and looking over her shoulder

at him

She noticed

what the wind was doing

to his hair

Without turning

she reached

and smoothed

The wild lock back

from his eye.

And he,

as if expecting her

to do just thatSaid nothing,

kicked at the stubble

that lay at the edge

Of the current-less pool,

accepted her gesture,

the disarray

And the accord.