General Chat

Help.......Iv'e been asked to read a poem at my friends wedding.Everything I have found so far is just not suitable.Judging from how many replies the poets pot has had I hoped someone could recommend a book or suggest a poem I might look up . HELP PLEEEEEASE.

Rita, What kind of poetry? Lindy:-)

Love's Philosophy The fountains mingle with the river And the rivers with the ocean The winds of heaven mix forever With a sweet emotion. Nothing in the world is single All things by a law divine In one spirit meet and mingle Why not I, with thine? See the mountains kiss high heaven and the waves clasp one another, No sister flower would be forgiven If it disdained its brother. And the sunlight clasps the earth And the moonbeams kiss the sea: What is all this sweet work worth If thou kiss not me? Percy Bysshe Shelley

Lindzay, Thanks for taking the time to reply. I would like something that is meaningful and not just lovey dovey mush, perhaps something that will encourage tolerance and understanding of each other . I don't mind if it's funny as long as the message is along the lines of living in harmony together. I say now that I've put all this into words I think this is a tall order for anyone to come up with................

Rita, I have a book of poetry which I will have a look through but it is in old English verse. Will That do? Lindy:-)

Rita, try a book called the Prophet, by Khalil Gilbrain, theres a bit in there about letting the wind blow between you, which is really about lettin g both be the people they are, but be warned, a registry office won't like it as they class the book as a religious text.

Oh well!!!! I guess that's Shelley gone for a Burton then!!! Dierdre X

Lindzay, Yes that will do nicely. I do appreciate you taking the time Many Thanks. Deidre The poem is lovely I haven't seen that one before It's one I'll keep for future ref Many Thanks

Rita, I shall be in touch. Dierdre, That was beautiful Lindy:-))

Dobbs Thanks for the suggestion and the wedding is in church,the full monty , big hats and everything, hence my rising panic .

Rita Not sure if this is the sort of thing you are looking for, but i had this read out at my wedding as i felt it was very appropriate. Marriage is love walking hand in hand together Its laughing with each other about silly little things and learning to discuss big things with care and tenderness In marriage love is trusting each other when you're apart It's getting over disappointments and hurts Knowing that these are present in all relationships It's the realization that there is no-one else in this world that you'd rather be with than the one you are married to It's the thinking of new things to do together It's growing old together Marriage is being in love for the rest of your life. Good luck in your hunt for a poem. Regards Yvette (Having said all that i have to add that i married my husband before falling in love with the gorgeous Hugh Jackman ;-) lol )

Yvette Thats just the sort of thing i'm looking for. Fantastic. Oh and i quite agree with you about Hugh Jackman.

Colin What a lovely poem Many Thanks

Colin. Very nice! Keith

I like this one 'cos the others are too serious: Yes, I'll Marry You Pam Ayres Yes, I'll marry you, my dear, And here's the reason why; So I can push you out of bed When the baby starts to cry, And if we hear a knocking And it's creepy and it's late, I hand you the torch you see, And you investigate. Yes I'll marry you, my dear, You may not apprehend it, But when the tumble-drier goes It's you that has to mend it, You have to face the neighbour Should our labrador attack him, And if a drunkard fondles me It's you that has to whack him. Yes, I'll marry you, You're virile and you're lean, My house is like a pigsty You can help to keep it clean. That sexy little dinner Which you served by candlelight, As I do chipolatas, You can cook it every night! It's you who has to work the drill and put up curtain track, And when I've got PMT it's you who gets the flak, I do see great advantages, But none of them for you, And so before you see the light, I do, I do, I do!

Re the one that Colin from hants posted, we had that at our wedding, it's beautiful, and is (supposedly) taken from a Native American wedding ceremony. Just thought you'd like to know!

Rita, I am afraid that the poems I have are far too old fashioned and most likely would not do for a modern day wedding. The poem posted by Colin has all of your requirements and it says it all. Lindy:-)

Just had a book from the library "The Nation's Favourite Poems ... of Celebration" - there is also a "Love Poems" one. Maz. XX

Hi Rita I was asked to read the following extract from Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières at a wedding last year: "Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part, because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being 'in love' which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground ... and when all the pretty blossom has fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two." Take some deep breaths before you start and don't rush!!! And try not to shake too much unless you are able to put your piece of paper on the lectern!!!! Good luck! Sue

Hi Rita, You've probably chosen already, but another nice one is Shakespeare's sonnet 116 (may be a bit too old fashioned and predictable though) Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand'ring bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come. Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out ev'n to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. Hope you find what you're looking for! Kate