Confession To Frank Zappa Poem by Michael Philips

I spotted someone standing alone
at the back of the reception
watching us with quiet disdain,
probably thinking:
“Let’s just see how formulaic
THIS wedding band is”

The message was clear and
I was ready to chuck it and launch into
Peaches En Regalia or Inca Roads
What difference would one paycheck make?
What difference would one steaming bride make?
Let us cast off this cornball material and get real
Some guests may even enjoy it.
After all, did I spend years learning this instrument
only to end up performing mush?
I turned to the band and counted it off
and we launched
for the nine hundredth time
into Stand By Me