Lillian & Martha

the paper sits upon the step, the messenger already gone
 and lillian sits next to it, and looks across the coming dawn
 the type is bold enough to read, for eyes so tired and set with time
 and lillian cannot believe, the photograph and bold headline
 she leaves the step and lights the stove
 she heats the kettle cracks the eggs
 and from the porch the paper blows
 it lifts and weaves and floats away
 and lillian, she smoothes her hair, she sits to rest her aching feet
 and up the old and oaken stairs, martha stirs and leaves a dream
 she reaches out across the bed, finds the sheets are tucked and cold
 she calls aloud for lillian, her heart it beats and strains and slows
 and lillian, she climbs the stairs,
 she hears her martha's ragged breath
 she lies beside her calms her fear,
 it's alright darling you can rest
 and long they lay there side by side
 the breath of two becomes the one
 and down the street the photo flies, of martha and of lillian
 and now the town it slowly wakes,
 unrolls the paper,
 sits to read the news it travels cross the state
 of hearts that struggle to be free
 and from the front in love and tears
 lillian and martha wave
 the courthouse after fifty years
 on their long awaited wedding day
 beyond the step the day begins, the heat it rises from the road
 and down the stair comes lillian, a promise kept, a band of gold