Hysteria

I know a woman, she inherited a bridal shop.
20 years shut, the dresses were destroyed, eaten by moths.
But deep in the cellar, she found 500 metres
Bolted like hidden scrolls.

She spent 6 months sewing;
Tablecloths, curtains, sofa covers,
Cushions, lampshades…everything wrapped and glowing
Bed linen, book casings, pot holders, even a pull screen for her shower
And finished with a splendid bouquet of fabric flowers.

I walked into her house, carrying violets
In a white tunic dress
I walked into a dream, into the mouth of a bridal scream
We looked at each other, shadowless.
Her house, freakily, glistened
With exquisite fibre.

 ‘You could have sold it’
I don’t know how to explain, but I really couldn’t’
‘I completely understand’
And I do. I commit the same: same thing, with love.

'I don't like veils' I informed her, as I put one on
Halo like, a bouquet of honesty seeds around my face
And she went for one with polka dots, 'a 1930's style lace'
Then we found gloves, with buttons
And dead elastic baby blue garters
'this is hideous and tacky'
'I know, and it's kind of morbid and scary'

And it did feel like we were trampling on virgin dreams
As we rifled through tattered dresses with name tags on them: Gwen, Louise and Steven.
Then we argued.
About whether or not a woman ever lived, who was called Steven.
And I fought for the right to name children stupidly
Every God given day
Though I don't believe it, I was just feeling argumentative and contrary
And had to have my own way.
'Let's have tea' she said,
Pinning sashing on above her jeans, garland for her waist.

We ate red velvet cake, which always looks so enticing
But really, tastes vulgar and is saved only
By its whipped white cheese icing.
Bright red crumbs spittled across my lap
Pin pricks of blood, congealing.
I took another forkful, watching
Her mouth; brightly stained, pillar red, as she said
‘I was reading, from this book I found in the shop,
Red must be banished full stop.
Fallen on a dress it means miscarriage, death, and of love - a total loss’
‘Aw shit’, I replied ‘I’d better call the wedding off’.

And then we started laughing. And couldn’t stop.