Wedding Bells

I see you walk down the aisle, on your father’s arm
I see our daughter lead the way to the alter
The procession finally reaches its destination and your father hands you over
I watch as another man accepts your hand
Only for a moment do I think “it could have been me”
I do not dwell on that thought, for what we had is no more
I silently listen as you exchange your vows
I wipe away a tear of joy from my eye
No one present understands why I am here
No one else can understand why
I am here because we are veterans of the same war
I am here because despite all that I still care about you
I am here because this ceremony is about peace,
A peace I have yet to find but grateful that you have
I am here to embrace in front of God the peace you have found
I am here because I wish with every bone in my body that your peace is everlasting,
For the pain we have caused each other is something I hope you never feel again
You now give your first kiss as husband and wife, everyone cheers as you run out
I quickly get up and congratulate you and your husband
I give our daughter a hug and a kiss good-bye
And with that I leave God’s house the same as I have entered it
Alone, but with my head held high and not a worry in sight
See, your peace is my peace
But most importantly it’s our daughter’s peace
And that is why I came today and heard your wedding bells chime