Under the Apple Tree
By: Charles Giuliano - Feb 17, 2022
Under the Apple Tree
The musician and
Universalist minister
Ralph Galen married us
In the back yard
Under the apple tree
In East Boston
On a sweltering
September day
When we met at
Paul and Shelly's wedding
He asked
What do you do
With cheek I said
I’m a critic
What does that mean
Not seeming to get it
By way of explanation
I don’t like your tie
Confused and bemused
There was more
That I didn’t like
The minister who
Was two hours late
For our wedding
Good friggin grief
Said he was
Stuck in the tunnel
More likely a
Fight with his wife
They later divorced
Our guests were restless
Steve wanted a beer
Astrid said absolutely not
Bride was adamant
Put her foot down
No booze until after
We’re well hitched
Uncles and elders
Were really pissed
Just beer and wine
No silver bullets
Helpers I hired
Students of mine
Sat around and watched
More guests than help
Never turned on the oven
All that food made by
Richie the chef
Our neighbor
Salmon and couscous
Went home as
Doggie bags
Served the lasagna
Still quite warm
I made that morn
Then came the toasts
More like roasts
Taking the heat
Steve and Louise
Blunt and brutal
Mom asked
From front seat
Are they married yet
Utterly exhausted
End of that day
Etched in memory
Nothing mundane
Mad and insane
Under the apple tree
Just you and me
Frau Hiemer
Mrs. Pisseda
My sweet pea