You cannot see the groom
reflected in her eyes,
a cousin twice removed
neither young nor handsome
not a peasant or accountant,
never had ambitions
and doesn’t know her tongue,
not her choice
just selected
by her uncles.
She is ticket, road, his purpose,
building branches back
to a country
that she never knew.
Her veil is heavy,
she has accepted
and will not cry.
She fans herself
forgets— and smiles.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Today Melissa hosts dVerse poetics with images where we write to a selection of paintings by Marc Chagal, my choice was the picture of the bride
May 19, 2026
Björn Rudbergs writings 
This is a very compelling read, Bjorn
Thank you
I think you channeled the personality of this bride, Björn! What a glimpse into the painting.
Thank you… I kind of imagined the old groom just out of frame
It was perfect!
Those first two lines cut to heart, Björn, and the whole poem paints a portrait and a story all at once. There’s a Russian novel in here!
This could be the beginning….
As often happens, we chose the same image, Björn, and I love where it took you in this poem. These lines made me sad: ‘Her veil is heavy,
she has accepted
and will not cry.’
Marrying an older relative is a sad destiny
oh unhappy bride!
much live
Indeed…. nothing good for her… maybe hope for next generation
There is a delicate grace in your words that pairs well with the painting.💙
Thank you so much
Sad
😦
A sad, sad but wonderful poem. I loved this prompt, Björn. Thanks for it and all you do do promote dVerse Poets. As well as putting us on the moon!
This community gives me meaning in sad time
A poignant poem – I like how it ended with a demonstration of her personal strength – Jae
She is saving herself for the next generation… or maybe to be a widow in grace
A restrained but powerful write Björn. The bride reduced to function. Doesn’t make sense to me…
Yet, this is how women are viewed in large parts of the world
A sad tale, beautifully penned.
it is sad indeed
A heavy veil indeed. Nicely penned.
Thank you…
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You really nailed this – you know what that poor bride is thinkng.
I can understand it… being forced to something is always hard
Looking at her expression, it must be an arranged marriage…I fear she is trapped! You told the story convincingly, Bjorn.
It is a story told over and over…
Child brides…a terrible thing.
Well done and I like how you ironically end with her smiling🩵
It is acceptance perhaps
I love how this doesn’t judge the culture, it simply holds up a mirror to the bride’s quiet acceptance, making us feel the weight of her heavy veil🙌
I cannot judge, but I do not like it and neither does she
♥️
Sending this stanza back to you in appreciation.
She is ticket, road, his purpose,building branches backto a countrythat she never knew.
A situation all to common