Announcement

Her faced glowed when she told us,

I hugged her first, awkwardly, breast to breast,

then him, standing on my tip-toes

arms around his solid shoulders.

I hadn’t expected the jolt of desire.

At the ceremony, like many before me,

the tears trickled down my cheeks.

So this is why the mother of the bride cries.

I had always supposed it was to do with loss,

But had not understood what kind.