Sober Transaction

It's true
it doesn't seem like much
you bring a check
you show I.D.
sign your names
flushwhoosh! you're out
and ready for cake
without as much as a receipt
to show for it
or maybe they did give you one and now
you're stuck with it
until someone your Mom likely or his
takes it away
no trace of it on the smiling picture or maybe
you didn't even bring flowers

NO overstatements
this is, after all, a sober transaction

unlike finding shoes that go with your dress
or fitting two families
around the table
or fending off pathos
from overzealous friends especially that
making them understand
it's no big deal
nothing to it
just
a piece of paper

might be
the mayor says a few words
to impress upon you
gravity
the occasion seems to
warrant words
and maybe you would rather
that he didn't
for you don't like this stuff it's way too
sanctimonious
what good is advice
that talks
about itself
instead
to you
all you want is
put it behind you
and not talk about
what other people think
you feel
or
what it means
or
what you must do to be happy
you'll figure that out
in time
together

and I wish I wish I
could be there
with you
and not talk about it
at all
just have cake
and cry and be
happy
with you