Panic

By Clarence Major

Just before she was to say her vowels, she

kicked off her heels and with both hands

she lifted her wedding dress above her

ankles and ran away from her ceremony,

making an escape back to a freedom

she didn’t know she still cherished.

You’ve seen this moment in countless movies.

You’ve seen it in real life.

There is often a moment of fright

just before signing your name

to an important document

that will change your legal standing —

buying a house, selling a house,

buying a car, selling a car,

joining the army during a time of war.

We never hear of the groom fleeing.

He simply does not show up.

The wedding ceremony is left wondering

where the hell is the guy.