Dearly Beloved:A Poem About Becoming Unwed

Marriage and divorce are both common life experiences. In Western cultures, more than 90 percent of people marry by 50 years of age. However, on current figures, about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce. The divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher than that.

This poem is taking into account that divorce is now just as likely an outcome as the marriage lasting. That being the case, I feel we are likely to see 'Divorce Ceremonies' become as common place as 'Marriage Ceremonies'.

This short poem is an example of how such a ceremony may be worded.

Dearly Beloved,

We are gathered here today

To separate this man and this woman

From Holy matrimony.

Will anyone,

Who opposes this separation

Please speak now

Or forever hold your peace.

Do you withdraw your promise

To love, honour, and cherish one another?

If so, you may kiss each other farewell

And remove your wedding rings.

With the removal of the rings,

I now pronounce the marriage ended,

And you are no longer husband and wife.

You are free to go your separate ways.

God bless you both,

And may your future marriages

Be happy and successful

While they last.