Wedding music

/ Fran Haley

Do you remember
riding around in my car
singing gospel songs

the old ones you loved
since you were a little kid?
Folks always told me

you have an old soul.
I said you were seventy
the day you were born.

Yet you’re still so young.
I wouldn’t trade anything
for hearing your voice

singing harmony
on those beautiful faith-songs
my own Granddaddy

would have known and loved.
Here’s another thing I want
you to remember:

I am forever
proud of your talent, your heart
for other people

your service to God
and the comfort you’re giving
to those suffering

their greatest losses.
You are a gift to us all.
And now, a blessing

comes to you straight from
Heaven, another of my
prayers answered.

I worried that you
wouldn’t meet anyone while
working funerals.

Me of little faith.
Never expected a girl
driving the hearse to

the crematory
would find you there and begin
a new life story.

As the families make
preparations for your day
I can’t help hearing

your voice echoing
from long ago when we rode
in my car, singing

that old-time song called
“Wedding Music” and you said
“Mom, this harmony

is so beautiful.”
It’s what I pray for you now
my beloved son

and your bride-to-be:
beautiful harmony for
your life together.

My son and his bride-to-be. Photo: Kailey B. Photography

The referenced song my musican son loves:

*******
Composed for Day 4 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge with Two Writing Teachers.

Tip: Try writing a story-poem in haiku syllables.

Discover more from lit bits and pieces

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

19 thoughts on “Wedding music”

  1. Are you reading this at the wedding? It’s so well crafted. I love the harmony and the symmetry of the bookended car singing…and the hearse driver in the middle! It makes me happy for you (whose faith is now less “little”) and for your son (who so clearly deserves this harmony).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Hi, Peter! I don’t know that I’ll be reading the poem for the wedding but I did share it with my son. He loves it. So appreciate your words – I am so thrilled for my son.

      Like

      Reply

  3. Fran, I’m all misty eyed now, because once again, we have the common thread of prayers for God to bring our single children’s soul mates. I know the joy, the sheer delight and blessing that must fill your heart as you prepare to welcome a new daughter into the Haley family. Yes, I too believe that this needs framing and reading at the rehearsal dinner or one of the wedding festivities. To think that your son heard the harmony of the wedding music and will now step in as part of the music brings the reassurance of this God wink. The hope you have held, the prayers you have prayed, the faith you have had that this day would come for him – – – and out of the places we are least likely to expect, God does His thing. Answers prayers. Does she know that in addition to getting a loving husband, she’s also getting the best mother-in-law a daughter could dream? I’m thrilled for all of you!

    Like

    Reply

  4. Fran, I’m all misty eyed now. Once again, we have the common thread of prayers for God to bring our single children’s soul mates. I know the joy, the sheer delight and blessing that must fill your heart as you prepare to welcome a new daughter into the Haley family. Yes, I too believe that this needs framing and reading at the rehearsal dinner or one of the wedding festivities. To think that your son heard the harmony of the wedding music and will now step in as part of the music brings the reassurance of this God wink. The hope you have held, the prayers you have prayed, the faith you have had that this day would come for him – – – and out of the places we are least likely to expect, God does His thing. Answers prayers. Does she know that in addition to getting a loving husband, she’s also getting the best mother-in-law a daughter could dream? I’m thrilled for all of you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Kim – thank you for all these loving words; I wrap them around me like a warm shawl. My daughter-in-law-to-be is such a happy, radiant soul. She’s always so genuinely pleasant and funny, full of smiles and laughs. She asked me to go wedding-gown shopping with her and her mom; having had two sons, this meant so much to me. She’s a joy and I love her. I am amazed, yet again, by the mighty hand of God at work.

      Like

      Reply

  5. Another wedding! I love how your poem takes simple short lines to convey a deep and loving message. Congratulations. Having a wedding can be filled with such joy, but also stress. Good luck with the second one. I have daughters so maybe it’s easier on the groom’s mother.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Oh you made me tear up! Again! What a beautiful poem for your son and his bride to treasure forever! The hearse driver – God works in mysterious ways! I love that your poem was composed of haiku stanzas. I’m gonna try that! Thanks, Fran – and congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Well now I’m full on crying. Such a innocent & beautifully written Slice about not only your son’s childhood but his love story to his soon to be wife. Congratulations to the happy couple & may they have many decades of happiness.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Hi, Paul! So good to “hear” from you – hope you are well. Yes – these are wonderfully happy days for my family. I am fiercely proud of the boy, and I love my future-daughter-in-law.

      Like

      Reply

  12. I like how you use enjambment to add flow to your story poem, I was thinking just yesterday to write a poem using the same techniques.

    My favorite line is

    “I said you were seventy
    the day you were born.” It has a bit of humor and pun mixed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment