Here comes the wedding
video footage looping
again and again.

Gingerly we walk
into air conditioning,
from humidity.

Faded Eddie shirts
become badges of honor
among Maiden fans.

Unbearable heat
turns heads to the garden hose
out there in the grass.

Despite the danger,
patriotic booming blasts
emerge from backyards.

Absent one partner,
two of the three musketeers
soldier bravely on.

Spiral-cut hot dogs
settle nicely into buns.
Relish fills the grooves.

Late night barbecue
man stands at his grill, turning
poorly lit chicken.

All the elderly
volunteer watchmen watch us
walk the neighborhood.

Two friends giggle, gasp,
fear that if they take a breath
they will disappear.