WHO WAS THE BRIDE

Who was the blessed bride

seen all in snow white
engaged for a small part

in a hidden cameo film
made in beautiful Afrique

who spoke French

dressed up in the language
of a once colonial signature suit
in the rainy scene on the bench
drenched from head to boot

in a now forbidden apartheid age
taking her vows and bows
in a full black and white video
her pages read to us
as she rehearsed in review
on a past ceremonial stage
where few actors like her could go.