every night on the porch sits
eyes strained down the lane
can’t erase the heartstain
waiting still with torch lit
fans the fire he carries
for the kind that never marries

another day another empty mailbox
a card a letter just a goodbye
she writes it folds it has a cry
over it before click snap heart locks
he prays one day her soul springs open
she stays away love strings broken

years go love ceases slowly
tears flow drip freezes coldly
until that dark night
hope sparks gives flight
ember burns fire alight
through the trees winding turning
she carries a torch burning
just for him