~ I  DO ~

'Twas the sixteenth of December. 

He'd dated me since September. 

Creeping past five, late afternoon, 

Dark, winter, no sign of the moon. 

I was still at school, in the gym.

Those girls were cool and all so slim.

They were so devoted to sport 

And the score even; I was caught 

Between my wedding and the game

And it would surely seem a shame 

To finish it off with a tie.

To my students I could not lie.

They worked hard at their volleyball.

Some could really spike; they were tall.

"Miss Neil, why do we need to quit ?

Let's keep playing. Please...just a bit? 

We don't want the game to be tied. 

Please ...we really want to decide. 

Is it because you need a ride? 

Or has your car battery died?"

At that I blurted it all out: 

"Well, I'll tell you what it's about.

I am getting married at six.

No, it is not one of my tricks 

So I must hurry to the church;

Don't want to leave him in the lurch." 

"Well how are you wearing your hair?" 

"I really don't have time to care." 

"And what are you going to wear?"

"Girls, please hurry to go and change. 

Yes, I know this might appear strange 

But it's the best we could arrange." 

"Then can I buy you a flower?" 

"No, I'll just have time to shower." 

Well I did make it to the church.

I did not leave him in the lurch.

He looked relieved when I arrived. 

He'd given me his car to drive 

Since his left leg was in a cast 

(One reason why we married fast).

We planned for me to be his nurse 

That was easier on the purse.

Pointless having a honeymoon;

We hoped the fracture would heal soon. 

Went to The Inn where we would dine 

On a fancy dinner with wine.

Not the usual wedding night

With the bride demure, all in white.

A/N Dear Mother blamed the steep ski slope

 for  convincing me to elope.

                                     Revised December 16, 2019

This autobiographical poem is one of my early ballad

style poems that I composed soon after I joined Wattpad

in September, 2012. I have revised and republished it

today, December 16, 2019 to celebrate what would have been

our 53rd wedding anniversary but , sadly, my dear husband

passed away just prior to our 50th in 2016.  ~ Gail

                                     Revised February 10, 2021 for Valentine's Day