Another Arrangement of Sorts......

The Business Proposal

She stood silently
laden in white satin,
six women surrounding her,
each with a colored sash
cinching their waists.
She gazed into the mirror
and wondered…
Had anyone told him
the color of her eyes?

One woman brushed
her ebony locks
and pinned in place
the perfect chignon,
as the other prepared
the veil of white tulle
and its iridescent pearl crown.

This woman took on the tedious task
fastening tiny buttons
trailing up her spine,
as that one on her knees
polished the tips of the white slipper,
placed a penny in the toe.

One woman handed her
a bouquet of lilies,
tucked neatly in a blue kerchief,
while the last one, her mother,
wiped away a lonely tear,
draped the gold locket around her neck
and kissed her on the cheek.

And as the women proceeded
to take their places before the congregation,
Mendelssohn’s Wedding March was silenced
by the sound of the gavel
echoing in her mind
and the repeat of one single word - -
Sold.