Under the Apple Tree
By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 18, 2021
Under the Apple Tree
Our back yard in East Boston
A sweltering day
Under the crab apple tree
Time after time
Now all these years on
September 19, 1998
Compared to now
In our 50’s we
Seemed forever young
That morning
Astrid cleaned
I baked lasagna
Though we had food
Catered by Richie
A renowned chef
Our next door neighbor
Poached salmon and couscous
Mom arrived way too early
Bride wasn’t dressed
Special outfits
Me in new suit
Hired my students
To serve and clear
They acted like guests
Stood around and watched
The minister was late
By an hour or two
Stuck in the tunnel
Or so he said
Lost his head
Guests were restless
But Astrid insisted
No alcohol
Before the ceremony
The elders griped
Uncles and aunts
No hard booze
Just beer and wine
On our special day
From the front row
Mom asked
Are they married yet
Years of explaining
Her bachelor son
Toasts more like roasts
That seemed so off
From Pip and Steve
Sister and best man
Astrid’s side more civil
Daughter Olivia
As best maid
Perfectly lovely
The bouquet tossed
Where was the food
They forgot to
Light the oven
Too late now
Lasagna still warm
Me sweating
Up and down stairs
Saving the moment
Bar was busy
So much for
Cheap help
Guests went home
With doggie bags
Slices of cake
Utterly exhausted
Next day however
Entertained
Raeford and Ginny
Friends from New York
A bridge too far
Hardly could stay awake
Then Monday morning
Back to work
Honeymoon came later
That matrimonial glow
Lasted forever