The Beautiful Wedding

Tears fall down

The cheeks of friends and family

Happy tears of congratulations

Sad tears of letting go

To the girl that used to play dolls

And dress up like a princess

But no longer is she young

She's grown older

She's fallen in love

A group of people sit around

To witness a celebration of love

They feel the slight breeze

The vineyard scent fills their bodies

She walks down the isle

Hand in hand with her father

She used to call him hero

But a new hero has entered her life

She's found a soul mate

She's found a companion

Slowly she walks towards him

Nerves cause his hands to shake

He takes in her beauty

I do, I do

They both say with confidence

The rest of their lives

Laid out in front of them

With those few, but special words

The bells ring

The lovers lips meet

A kiss they will never forget

Together they will be

For the rest of their lives

A beautiful event

For a beautiful couple

Who will live a beautiful life

People cheer and clap

This is it

A young girl

All grown up

She has dreamed of this day

Her whole life

The couple retreats

Hands united

Her veil blows in the wind

The sparkles in her dress

Twinkle in the sun

She looks like a princess

Like the ones she used to dress up as

Riding off with Prince Charming

Into the sunset

A beautiful thing

This thing called a wedding

Just a few hours

Representing an entire life time

Forever and always

Leaving the Zoo and Entering Reality

During a person's childhood, they can either learn how to sustain a life outside of their home, or they can spend their entire life living in luxury. At the time, being wealthy may appear like the better option but in the end, it is more satisfying to know you have the ability to set a goal and work towards it.

This type of situation is exactly what Pi Patel describes in the novel, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Many of Pi's animals have spent their entire life living in the zoo, daily receiving food and water, and he explains that if they were to be set free into the wild they were sure to die within days. He states this with confidence because he knows they would be unable to provide for themselves -- unable to survive on their own.

On the other hand, he describes how some animals would last a lifetime if they were returned to their natural habitat. Why? Pi says it is because his family has taken many animals away from their home and placed them into captivity. If a person grows up never once having to do chores, then they will enter the real world and suffer. For example they may not be able to independently do laundry or effectively clean the kitchen.

Like a turtle leaving its shell, the first time you leave your home will be difficult, but for those who spend their life training for reality, the experience will be more rewarding. We, as people, are the animals of the zoo. For many, leaving home means gaining freedom but for others it means losing their freedom and entering a mysterious world they won't survive in for more than a day.