VOWS.

cloud partnersand sod childrenmarry weaknessunder pergolasof unscented rosesthe quicksilver husbandraises a diamond glassto speak sunlightinto the eyesof each endorsing guestit feels like a shiverriver friendsrain friendsautumn unclesbreezy auntsjoin in the prayerthe moon comes outon harbour

cloud partners
and sod children

marry weakness
under pergolas
of unscented roses

the quicksilver husband
raises a diamond glass
to speak sunlight
into the eyes
of each endorsing guest

it feels like a shiver

river friends
rain friends
autumn uncles
breezy aunts
join in the prayer

the moon comes out
on harbour masts
to bless the bride

but no moonlight
reaches the husband

he is too busy
with his fear

Robin Lindsay Wilson

Robin is a lecturer in Acting and Performance at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Three collections of his poetry have been published by Cinnamon Press – ‘Ready Made Bouquets’ (2007), ‘Myself and Other Strangers (2015) and ‘Backstage in Paradise’ (2019). His poetry has appeared in many UK poetry magazines.