|
THE FACTS
The ceremony was held in The Fields sculpture park at Art Omi, amid the sculptures of Bernar Venet. The PA system we relied
on was the wind ... completely inefficient. What follows is the text of the vows.
READ BY LINDA MILLER CLEARY
"Wasn't marriage, like life, unstimulating and unprofitable and somewhat empty when too well ordered and protected
and guarded. Wasn't it finer, more splendid, more nourishing, when it was, like life itself, a mixture of the sordid and the
magnificent; of mud and stars; of earth and flowers; of love and hate and laughter and tears and ugliness and beauty?"
-- Edna Ferber
READ BY SARAH CLEARY:
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
They're both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.
Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?
I want to ask them
if they don't remember --
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember.
They'd be amazed to hear
that chance has been toying with them
now for years.
Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.
There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and them picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?
There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.
Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.
-- Wislawa Szymborska
VOWS
You can not possess me, for I belong to myself
But I choose you to be my partner in marriage, and will give you that which is mine to give.
You can not command me, for I am a free person
But I will serve you of my own free will in the ways you require.
I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care.
I pledge to you my respect, my protection and my love. I will honor you above all others, despite challenges and missteps,
from this day forward.
Officiant
Stephen Cooper, an attorney and judge in the town of Nassau and the person who helped Siobhan and Jed close the deal on their
home, officiated. (His wife has even cut out and saved the engagement announcement from the paper).
Many thanks to Jack Shear, who had graciously offered to step up to the plate, become ordained in the church of What's
Happening Now and do the honors.
|
| Father of the Bride, and Maid of Honor checking out the site |
|
