Lifelong

Swept aside by social media
rendered redundant by Facebook
yesterday’s news by twitter
passé by Instagram
no surprises by snapchat.
It was the very last allegiance to childhood
taking your beau or beauess to uncles and aunts.

Introduction unfolded with a certain pace and ritual
a telephone call
an inquiry as to general health
of offspring’s health and career chartings
praising and sighing
tut tuting in accord as necessary or expected.
Then
shifting
an invitation to self and one other
“ there is someone I would like you to meet ”
no other information necessary,
the ancient ones knowing and curious.

High tea
how to dress? For cold and chill.

I was at home when they called –
visiting from the other end of the country
the ceremony allows for contingency,
I am included.

Coffee or tea and cake,
small talk and goodwill
the rules allow for how and where
“ known each other long?” ask my mother.
“ Oh yeah, quite a while,” says the nephew
“ YES,” affirms his soon-to-be fiancée, “ 19 days.”