Brother William

A charcoal grill, a keg on ice,
before a few friends
who try to dress nice,
Brother William pronounces: "Man and wife." 
Couples by the hundred he's bonded for life
or some brief stretch
in back yards, city parks, under birches.
Never in churches.
These are joyous affairs with a simple touch.
"For people," he says, "who can't afford much."
His one request, it’s not too awful,
you must come to his kitchen
for a breakfast of waffles.
Then the ceremony he performs for free.
He says: For love.