ONE, in a courthouse, officiated by
a justice of the peace.
Our witness waves
a rainbow flag
the entire time.
TWO, at Saint Stephen’s,
the church we attend,
the blessed rector presiding.
THREE, in a private home, outside,
where the yard is green and lush,
and a fountain sings in the silence.
FOUR, in the small apartment we share.
FIVE, At my parents’ house,
under the old wooden gazebo
by the moldy hammock.
The rector swings inside it,
staining her vestments.
As soon as we say, “I do,” she rises,
and we fall into the hammock kissing.
We open the two coolers on the porch.
SIX, at Levy Park on the green platform
that places us
in the canopy of trees, the soothing sounds
of the splash pad below
with screaming children beneath it.
Refreshments served on the ping pong table.
SEVEN, at Levy Park in the dog park
so Gizmo can be off his leash.
We stand on separate mounds like pitchers
and weave through the water features
to meet in the middle.
Louis, a professional dog walker, presides
and we leave holding
each others’ leashes and a bone.
EIGHT, on top of a giant scratching post
my twin brother built
out of old whiskey barrels
so Pearl, our cat bridesmaid
feels comfortable.
Barefoot, so we can feel the soft carpet
beneath our feet.
We are fitted with cat collars bearing pet names
only we know.
NINE, inside the bar where we met.
Up the stairs, on the small stage with the sequin curtains.
The bartender presiding,
He serves everyone Tokyo Teas
after the ceremony
with Whitney Houston belting
it out on every screen.
TEN, during gay days at an amusement park,
but we can’t get married until we ride all the rides
that fit two people
and have our likenesses sketched
by a caricature artist.
ELEVEN, inside a volcano on a special platform
wearing special shoes,
both of which will last maybe thirty minutes
according to the volcanologist
officiating our wedding.
The entire wedding party is strapped to harnesses
attached to helicopters
that will pull us out in time.
There is only one ring,
but we throw it into the magma
like Frodo at Mount Doom
and embrace all the good that comes after.
TWELVE, in Beach City beneath the gaze of the temple.
Steven Universe presides.
Warm sand soothes our bare feet.
A cool breeze blows. Ruby & Sapphire
attend as witnesses
but leave as Garnet in their fusion form.
THIRTEEN, we just get married to each other,
and it feels good, and it feels good
to everyone there.
