A SPRING WITHOUT WEDDINGS

The orange blossom blooms untouched —
nobody wants bouquets
or buttonhole carnations these
strictly-no-wedding days

No bridal train disturbs the dust
of any village church
no groom has second thoughts to jilt
or leave her in the lurch

No egg-hunt through the bursting wood
or Easter bonnet fête
fiancés and small children must
with quiet patience wait

for better times — the future will
see vows exchanged again
true love outlives the longest war
like sunshine follows rain