the ceremony

the clerk wipes his mouth,
after taking a bite
of his sandwich. lunch he
says apologetically,
fifteen dollars,
raise your hands and
repeat after me.
she's in white,
he's in black.
a quick shine on his
shoes, a beauty parlor
stop for her.
she touches the small
raise of her stomach
without looking down.
she says the words
she's supposed to say,
so does he.
there's no rice thrown,
no cake, or band.
sign here, the clerk
says,
they sign the paper.
they leave to start
another day.