Cold Bride

Inspired by an item in a local paper about a bride who was in a car accident

COLD BRIDE

she died on the way to her wedding
by the light of a falling star
over the edge of a clifftop ledge
in her Daddy’s brand new car

the guests, they wait
why is she late
can we cut the cake ?

the groom waits on as petals fall
from the crying flowers in the marriage hall
tries another mobile call

but she lies on the way to her wedding
in her perfect bridal gown
no one to mourn at the break of dawn
dark water took her swiftly down

the guests, they respond
is the wedding still on ?
watching the clock; now they’re all gone

the groom in silence waits alone
cold despair eats through his bones
he’ll wait until he turns to stone

but she died on the way to her wedding
and waits just like the groom
for someone to come, some anyone
to release her from her tomb

Caitlin Beveridge
May 2009