I remember its soft velvet folds
pressing on my ears
as she slid it gently down over my head.
When it pooled at my feet,
I felt like a princess.

There I stood in my Mother's wedding dress.
It was burgundy
with a lace collar
and crystal buttons.

They were married on Christmas Eve.
She remembered holding white flowers
as Dad held her,
then running through snow
to the car
while he sang to her.

Later she wrapped the velvet dress
in muslin
then placed it
so very carefully
into her walnut chest
until one day
her little girl
asked to see her Mother's wedding dress.

I am a Grandmother now.
My daughter has worn the dress
and my granddaughter has worn our velvet memory...
that lies on my lap and brings a smile.