The Dressing of a Groom | Geo-Poetic Spaces

By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

THE DRESSING OF A GROOM

For Alexandros and Crystalla

In a village
sheltered by mountains of family
a groom is dressed for his wedding

The stubbled face of youth
Is lathered and shaved
the suit of a new man
presented
the boy buttoned up forever
inside a white shirt

Songs decorate the house
with voices
that marry the young lover to roots
deeper than the well of his native tongue

His heart of fire
contained with smoke from a censor
lest flame blacken
the beholder’s eyes

A red scarf
is crossed
three times around the groom’s waist
tying
the future of his collective past
to the metaphysical pause
between each breath
where love consummates waves of light
into life

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Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes

Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).