Tumblr messed up the formatting on this one, so please go to the actual blog page to read!!!

A freeform poem about a man weighing his past regrets against his current decisions

A lifetime (twenty-odd years) past,

a girl and I had begun with plans  to spend

the rest of our time on this earth

together, and finished with tears.

She had been the first to love me.

Now, facing my bride as she strolls

down the long scarlet path,

my heart pounding against my ribs,

 pearl waves behind her,

I still can’t help but remember

the girl from ninth grade.

We were to be wed. A rash childhood oath

sworn between people far too immature

to love responsibly.

I take my bride’s hand in mine, help her up

the few steps leading to the podium.

She beams up at me.

I smile small.

Eyes rain pain and sorrow.

She turns, runs, doesn’t look back,

I don’t call out as she flees.

The priest begins reciting the script

which will forever bond us.

Too late for second thoughts.

I had tried to let her down easy.

Impulse never leads to good decisions.

There are more words

 than I think necessary.

We’d agreed it would be a short service.