Cindy Goff

Snapdragons
 
The wedding had to take place
because she had gotten herself in trouble
with a young coal miner.
She came from the religious coast
and her family insisted from a distance.
Since none of her people could attend
a grandfather clock was driven up the mountain
with great respect
to stand in for all her male relatives.
 
When she kissed the miner, the clock rang
and a child threw a handful of snapdragons in the air.
Her new brother-in-law, a police car,
drove in circles ringing his siren and flashing his lights.
She threw her bouquet down a coal shoot.
 
Everyone had to go back to work
down the mine
and she was left alone
pushing peanut butter pie into her own face
staring at a white silk top hat
sitting on top of a pile of coal.
 
 
 

Cindy R. Goff is originally from Chilhowie, Virginia. She received her M.F.A. from George Mason University in 1993. Her poetry has appeared in many publications including Exquisite Corpse, Hawaii Review, and Ploughshares. Her first book of poems, Appalachian Flood was published in 2009. Her new book of poems, The Gods of Greenery, is forthcoming.




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