MASTERPIECE #3287

/// From a terrace some twelve feet away,
a new bride tossed her wedding bouquet.
She must be very strong,
for the missile went long.
No one caught it; “the ball’s still in play.”

/// All the bridesmaids had jostled and vied
to be “chosen” the very next bride.
Though they reached up and leapt,
high above them it swept
as each pushed all her rivals aside.

/// Marie hardly believed her own eyes.
She bent down to pick up The Surprise
Bouquet off of her floor,
then, out her terrace door—
saw those bridesmaids try something unwise.

/// Some were desperate to get that bouquet.
(They’d learned they’re in “a family way.”)
Stairs to run down, then climb,
would take far too much time;
they decided to jump! (But, first pray.)

/// Several leap for this terrace, and fail,
but two manage to grasp Marie’s rail.
Muscles straining, they haul
themselves over the wall,
but their peril was to no avail.

/// For Marie had now entered the fray.
She, too, wished to get married some day.
She picked up the bouquet.
Thought of Monsieur André.
If they wed, she’d become Marie A.*
*(mariée)

/// The two bridesmaids each charged her with theft.
They’d reclaim it by being more deft.
Marie, strengthened by rage,
led them both to her “cage.”
Three girls entered, but only one left!