I lay down br frilly covered br bouquet still br at my side; br br lovely gown br arrayed br br I lay down br rose petals all around br my arms at my side br my groom br outside br murmuring. br br I am prepared br for this my surrender br or this my consummation; br this my mistake? br br The Unknown? br The Alone? br The Bride. br br Where do virginal brides go; br they hide in the rose petals br and wait. br br I plucked a rose from br my bouquet- br gathered my br wits br br and sat up on the bed br to walk to the door br to greet br my new husband; br face to face. br br Bride I thought, br should stand up br because marriage now br means br more that courting; br marriage here begins br true partnership; br meet him at the door.