Florence Rubenfeld
THE BRIDEGROOM 'S AT THE CENTER
The spindly man at the far left is the father of the bride.
He is paying for the picture.
At his side is a heftier woman, my mother.
The man's my father. I'm nowhere in the picture.
The center couple is the new bride and groom.
He's in the process of becoming my brother-in-law.
The corners of his thin mouth turn up in anticipation.
My sister has removed the veil from her eyes.
She cups her hand on the young man's forearm.
The veil's too large to be hidden in that small hollow.
At the right side (their left) is just one person.
She is a middle-aged woman holding a bouquet.
I remember being introduced to her - Sophie.
She is my naissant brother-in-Iaw's mother.
If
she weren't holding the bouquet it wouldn't be in the picture;
No one else would be there to hold it.
The others' hands are occupied in couples,
Nor would a vase be introduced.
Such a scene could be no place for still life–
"Fledglings, flowers and ferns."
