True Love (Elizabeth and Tim)

On Saturday, my good friends Tim and Liz tied the knot after a ten-year courtship… and what a day! The weather was amazing and the whole occasion was just perfect. The service went beautifully and the reception was immense. For the record, I opted for a trio of avocado, buffalo mozzarella and plum tomatoes to start; followed by salmon with shallot and caper sauce and a chocolate torte for dessert. My WEDDING BREAKFAST report? Top drawer m8. Next…

The speeches were fabulous - a nice blend of nostalgia and paternal pride from Barry and a really heartfelt performance from the Groom. The PowerPoint presentation from Best Man and Organiser™ Tom Newman went down a storm an' all. Then it was to the dancefloor for some fantasy footwork and dazzling Dad-Dancing. Props to Dom and JD for their ROFLcopter Dance-Off and to Graham for keeping Micky's Mum entertained. Tim's brother (The Silver Fox) also deserves a special mention and MVP nomination for taking one of Liz's friends back to the Best Western, much to his Nan's amusement. It was a cracking day across the board.

Some time ago, I was asked to perform a reading during the ceremony. I was honoured and gratefully accepted the invitation. Back in January, after a few too many beers at Pratt’s housewarming, I mooted the possibility of performing a Martin Leay original. I was only half-serious. To my surprise, Tim and Liz liked the idea and so I was commissioned.

I told myself (and the happy couple) that I would only read my own work if I thought it was good enough and then worked on it (on and off) for the best part of two months, going through several drafts and redrafts in the process. When it was finished, I submitted my modern sonnet “True Love (Elizabeth and Tim)” for approval, and approval is what I received. I was pleased with it but of course nervous when the time came to read it in the church. I put in a fair bit of practice before the Big Day and received some excellent coaching from my prize-winning poet, Rachael. It went well and I was delighted with the many positive comments directed my way over the course of the day.

Now that I’m back in London and out of work after my enjoyable stint at the BBC, I am seriously considering a career in performance poetry. I can write poetry to measure… weddings, funerals, Christenings, Bar Mitzvahs - I'll do 'em all. That’s right, baby – Martin Leay is available (for a small fee) to write and perform (for a slightly larger fee) at all your special events (no occasion too big or too small). Get in touch via the usual channels and I will make your special day that little bit more memorable. MY POETRY WILL ENDURE!

True Love (Elizabeth and Tim)

True love, as perennial as it is pure

Like stars in the sky, will always endure

True love, a sweet and constant emotion

Is born of desire and eternal devotion

True love is the meeting of hearts and souls

When two halves connect to form a whole

True love is the union of bodies and minds

An infinite bond between two of a kind

True love is kindness without condition

Where hopes and dreams come to fruition

True love, built on trust and compromise

Is a gift that makes for happy lives

In marriage, true love becomes enshrined

Elizabeth and Tim, forever entwined

© Martin Leay

14 April 2010