The Wedding Couple

M A Y 1 9 9 6

by Donald Hall

Hear Donald Hall read this poem (in RealAudio).

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Also by Donald Hall:
When the Young Husband ... (1993)
Distressed Haiku (2000)

Fifteen years ago his heart
infarcted and he stopped smoking.

At eighty he trembled
like a birch but remained vigorous

and acute.

When they married,
fifty years ago, I was twelve.

I observed the white lace
veil, the mumbling preacher, and the flowers

of parlor silence
and ordinary absurdity; but

I thought I stood outside
the parlor.

For two years she dwindled

by small strokes
into a mannequin--speechless almost, almost

unmoving, eyes open
and blinking, fitful in perception--

but a mannequin that suffered
shame when it stained the bed sheet.

Slowly, shaking with purpose,
he carried her to the bathroom,

undressed and washed her,
dressed her in clean clothes, and carried her back

to CNN and bed. "All
you need is love," sang John and Paul:

He touched her shoulder; her eyes
caressed him like a bride's bold eyes.