and Ouzo…
brand new Charcoal suit
her father wears, proudly parades
pearl beads adorn her mothers
soft pink neck
a white rose is pinned to her brothers lapel
symbols of a sacrament
it is an occasion for family
they fly in from Sydney, Adelaide,
Singapore and Greece
there is dancing in her parents home
laughter too
they are all drunk on happiness
and ouzo
……………………………………………………………
many years earlier another
bride wept
far from home
sent to marry
no parents, no pearls,
roses were scarce
a distant relative picked her up in a delivery truck
used to ferry chickens
the church empty apart from three neighbours
the priest
and a choir boy
bound by duty
she wore the dress that many before her had worn
one of many to be bartered in this way
family in Greece exchange gold coins, goats, ouzo
the man who stands beside her is a stranger
his scent is foreign
she will sleep with him tonight
his curly coal black hair
a smile gentle and warm
she will be happy
she has decided
years have passed and
holding tight
she has been happy
day flooded with memories
sadness mixed in with euphoria
knowing that her daughter will not travel to church
in a delivery truck
