Shadow Soliloquy
The pretty lady in white throws the bouquet,
like a game show host giving out consolation prizes;
like the bottle cap liner on your tropical fruit juice -
"thanks for playing - try again"
So her flowers were caught by a 12-year-old fullback
with braces and a Hello Kitty wristwatch;
she must be next to get married (if tradition holds true) -
that's at least another 8 years for me to be #2
Kiss the bride but miss the bridesmaid.
Everybody missed the speech by the best man,
they were all watching the couple kissing and being cute -
while the maid of honor slipped down the hall to "get some fresh air"
Silver medal in the attic collecting dust;
"You were 2nd best" - like that is some honor.
The way I see it in big, bold font:
"You lost when it counted"
I am the penultimate:
the bridesmaid
the pinch hitter
the salutatorian
the understudy
the vice president
the substitute teacher
the back-up quarterback
the untalented kid brother
the bake-off red ribbon winner
the beauty pageant runner-up
the spare key under the welcome mat
the best man (2nd best, if you think about it)
languishing in the shadows of #1
Copyright © John Watt | Year Posted 2020
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