Love is a cheap commodity
a form of stock exchange
a currency value
a way to determine a worth.

Hatred is expensive
it raises the waves
it calls for the howling wind
the tremulous quakes
and the shattering glasses.

one, two, three, four
four couples walked down the aisle
the holy shrine shines
the crowd claps in glee, amusement
and some in cynicism

five, six, seven, eight
the claps became slower and slower
the smiles on the faces froze like marble statues
the pregnant women wept
the men groaned in annoyance
the children were the only one laughing

the sky became dark
the birds stopped chirping
the owls hooted in the dark dark night
the gowns have turned to a shade of midnight blue
the bells have stopped ringing

The eight brides stood there and said "I do."