Heading out to perform today’s ceremony
I am told ‘hope it goes without a hitch’
with a wink akin to telling an actor
‘break a leg’

Though hitching up people is what I do
stating that sounds cowboyish
there are metaphors there
to corral

I find great joy in certifying my couples’
commitments to forever – however
long that may be – my
track record, solid

Eschewing most conventions is my
stock in trade, pushing more
envelopes than small town
postal clerk

I have guided couples in tying knots with
satin braids, boat mooring rope;
poured sand in jars, dirt
into buckets

If the metaphor fits, we can wear it – all
in the name of unity – if it makes a
visual point we only need
vows, amen

“You may kiss!” My ending proclamation
leaves out person-to-person
specificity, as I always trust
my audience

I’ve never stated ‘we are gathered here’
not once invited objections
nor asked ‘who gives this . . . ‘
save for one

bride honoring her culturally-bound father
and while I cringed, she was
satisfied, all there knew
he was too

So today I will head out noting with irony
not having a hitch in proceedings
while getting whomever
joyfully hitched

– Mark L. Lucker
© 2023
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