Wedding Song

to Tony and Joanne

Out of the power of Earth a song
slight as water, formed as diamond,
a second’s joy, a lifetime long.

May it linger and belong,
this true and natural endowment
out of the power of Earth, a song.

Take it, you will not be wrong,
for it is food, for it is raiment.
A second’s joy a lifetime long,

a note so light dark ages long
to hear it, now today sings vehement
out of the power of Earth. A song

that rides the day of light along,
renews at night the stars’ endearment:
a second’s joy, a lifetime long.

Make the singing of it strong.
Away and free, its path determined
out of the power of Earth, a song –
a second’s joy, a lifetime long.