The girl stands still before the closed doors in front of her,

Her hands shake a delicate petal tumbles to the red carpeted floor beneath her.

She feels the satin ribbon around the stems dampens with perspiration.

 

The girl turns her head slightly careful to not undo the elaborate perfect curls,

Her father’s sparkling eyes meet hers and he gently pats her hand that grips his opposite arm.

She relaxes her grip slightly and exhales slowly.

 

Her planner orbits her smoothing the layers of lace, tucking in a stray hair,

And fluffing the long train behind her before standing in front and ensuring all is ready.

The planner smiles broadly at the girl who nods.

 

The planner whispers into a small radio and the girl feels her father stiffen slightly beside her.

The music begins as the double doors swing wide.

She is frozen until she looks at the end of the aisle and sees him.

 

Her vision blurs behind tears of joy as the crowd rises and turns toward her.

She takes a breath and steps forward.

The girl moves down the aisle to walk toward her new life.

 

– Diana Kristine