Armed Forces

When my lover took my arms for the first time

his own arms were shaking.

Today the road from home to the town centre is closed

there is a parade of the armed forces.

I wake up from the sound of their steps

on our empty bed. It is now only a mattress

in the middle of the mess we are living -

the windows are to be removed,

the doors are to be changed and a pile of bricks to be taken

from our yolk colored bedroom.

Everything we have built has been destroyed

and wrapped into plastic.

Ground is shaking

the walls are shaking -

it's the pneumatic drill.

I am learning the wedding vow by heart

in three days we will be wearing rings made from

our mothers’ melted jewelry.

ground is shaking

just as I will be

when three days will pass

and we will stand in front of an altar.

The ground is shaking,

the parade is moving.

I can feel the baby swinging in my womb.

Today I am stuck in the middle of this mess -

cameras, toys, towels and computers

The road from home to the town center is still closed,

the army is marching with guns.

The ground will be shaking

just before they will break their steps on the bridge.

Then, their march will continue with the

same force.

With the same force I claim:

I take you to be my husband

to have and to hold from this day forward

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,

till death do us part

ground is shaking and this is my solemn vow.