The Wedding Toss
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Dressed in tiers of creamy white
taffeta, crowned by a wreath
of ice-pink rosebuds in my hair,
I look like the wedding cake.
Mama has trained me well —
Walk straight ahead and don’t stop
to run to Nana or hug Pops.
If Josie calls your name out,
make believe you didn’t hear.
Step slowly. Do not skip —
You’ll trip on the aisle runner.
A flower girl’s a big girl
with a big, important job.
I carry a wicker basket trimmed
with bows and satin ribbons
pink like cotton candy
holding petals I’m to toss.
But suddenly, I’m puzzled —
where do I sprinkle the flowers?
Only where the bride steps
or where the groom walks too?
At five, how could I know if
a man dressed for his wedding
likes the smell of roses
on his shiny leather shoes?
I know Auntie loves perfume.
I often see her spraying
a sweet rosewater shower
in her hair — and everywhere.
And so, I scatter roses mostly on the bride’s side
but, just in case, I toss some
where the groom is walking too.
Mama had trained me well.
But I alone discovered
that all or nothing usually
resolves nothing at all.
I had to take some more steps
to learn when conflicts challenge,
tossing a few rose petals
is worthy of recall.
Looking for more thoughtful poetry? Explore more pieces from MockingOwl Roost below:
- Where the Heart Is – Poetry
- Home When I Get There – Poetry
- Michael – Poetry
- Remember When – Poetry
Lynn Hess
Lynn is a retired middle-school teacher who loved her work and who, for thirty years, also conducted weekly poetry-writing workshops for students in grades K through 8. An educator, a mother of two and a “nana” of three, Lynn especially loves writing poetry inspired by children. Lynn's poetry has appeared or will appear in journals including Spoon River Quarterly, Aeolian Harp, Red Eft Review, Monterey Review, Discretionary Love, and others. Where Tigers Roar in Silence, a book of poetry for children, was published by Lime Rock Press.
