a toast to the bride and groom

i knew during its entirety

that it would always be her

i knew who you pretended i was

in twisted sheets and during late night phone calls

and she’s so beautiful

the kind of beautiful that when i saw her for the first time

i knew it would never matter

what i said, what i did

it would always be her

but, of course, i’m happy for you

so i’ll go to your wedding

her perfect handwriting on the envelope

enclosed is a… Mr. and Mrs.

weird.

i’ll turn to your bride,

and i’ll say

“thank you for always taking care of him,

taking drinks out of his hands

and teaching him how to love”

in ways that i could not

“thank you for fighting for him,

when i’m sure all you wanted to do was give up.

he’s worth the headache”

i would know

then i’ll look at you

force a smile,

hopefully champagne drunk enough

to make eye contact without breaking character.

it was never going to be me sitting next to you

meeting the parents, honeymooning in spain

i was one night to you, but you are a lifetime to me.

“and to the groom.

i knew it would always be her.”