My Wedding Dress is White

my wedding dress is white.
it shimmers.
sequins and beads are designed as flowers and leaves
embedded in the lace.
it touches the ground and
hides the wear of my shoes.
the dress was made for my body;
it needs no alterations.

I’ve chosen the earrings I’ll wear with my dress.
sometimes
overcome with anticipation and eagerness
I let myself wear them… for a few minutes.
I like how it feels to have them in my ears.
they dangle.
there’s an oblong pearl suspended
from a burst of sparkling stones.
these are the earrings of an elegant, sophisticated woman.
I’m trying to live into her position.

I’m going to carry roses-
red, white, and yellow.
I’ll choose a couple out of the bouquet
to decorate my hair.

my groom will wear a crown of thorns-
a symbol of the suffering love
with which we were betrothed.
His pierced hands will reach for mine,
with them He’ll draw me close.
and the radiance (which is His glory)
will envelope us both.
He sees my soul as white as my gown
and will renew His covenantal love.

with all His strength I’ll pledge my vows
completing the surrender of my heart/will to His.
in service, in gratitude, I’ll confess my faith to (in) Him.

my fiancé king, who financed my ransom,
prepares a honeymoon suite for us
in the house of His Father,
who will celebrate our marriage
(this mystery, the melding of two souls to one)
with the most extravagant of feasts.

our supernatural union
will extend into eternity
for Death has been defeated
and there will be nothing left to part us.

my wedding dress is white.
I am (We are) the Bride of Christ.

Emily Harrison. 4.28.06

Comments

[Guy Williams]

Wow. Nicely articulated, Emily. I love the way you sneak us into the work of Christ after a few stanzas. Favorite line: "with all His strength, I'll say my vows." Excellent

[peg]

woman of wisdom be blest.

[Mark]

Emily-

I really enjoyed this - both in class and reading it here. You capture this sense of nuptial love - Christ wedded to his bride the church, and yet also this idea of betrothal - Christ's promise to us (you), and your promise to be wedded (abandoned) to Him

This reminds me of a conversation I had recently with a friend regarding agape and eros. That perhaps because of our broken sense of sexuality that we cannot understand a God of intensely intimate love. Yet I think you capture this sense of love in your poem.

[Dan]

You know, I was wondering about you at first until I realized that you had posted for someone else... :) ... although, you'd probably look cute in a white wedding dress and earrings anyway...