Wedding Pictures

We're frozen in green and silver.
My middle brother stands in the center, black tux, green vest,
His constant scowl absent, replaced by wide smile,
His eyes fixed on his new wife, off-camera, stunning.

On his right stands my sister, silver dress, hair pulled back,
Her eyes watching her children as they run wild,
Off-camera with Gramma and Granddad.

On the groom's other side, our oldest brother has his
Arms crossed across his chest, half-smile,
His green shirt and silver tie identical to mine.

I stand farthest from the groom, on the other side of our brother.
Towering over the family, tight pants and crooked glasses.
My eyes fixed on the camera, smile almost real.

Each of them has a family outside this picture.
Husbands, wives, sons, and daughters.

The picture can't depict the jealousy.
As we stand in our wedding clothes,
It's easy to fake a smile, force a laugh.

I try and picture my own wedding.
Two tuxes, two grooms, two unhappy families.
Two mothers with broken hearts.

This is the last wedding where their smiles will be real.
The last wedding with the white dress.
The last wedding inside this church.

We're all aware, and we stand happy to be together.
The picture captures that, and the moment looks flawless.
But there is fear waiting just outside the frame.