Cake and Coffee Reception

The volume was turned down that day 

but I saw the sparkling sponge mop 

glide across a floor 
and then the game show host  
held his microphone like a magic wand
and then the cake

decorated with frosting roses
was brought officially down 

to the finished basement 

that had a little mirrored bathroom all it's own 
the coffee urn has an small, round orange light
and there was the sound of the 

aunts and the mom's gold jewelry tinkling 
the sound of nylons against their rayon   

of gold cigarette lighters clicking
of laughing
of cake forks clinking 
of metal folding chairs scrapping 

white twinkling terrazzo  
as the cutting 
of the communion cake squares 
commenced
but there were only so many pieces 

with roses
and a few girls looked tired 

of wearing veils all day

but they each
got white gift wrapped boxes
they each got hearts and crosses
white velvet
diamonds and gold.