Tin Star

Snow is white.

Snow is water.

It should wash, not rust, the Christmas star.

I let the dust stay. It’s only tin.

Like the stars the almost sheriffs and maybe deputies,

If they were honest,

Should toss behind them on the ground.

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' On this, our weddin' day Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' Wait, wait along

We don’t realize what we allow to pass.

We don’t realize the worth of what’s been done.

So we don’t toss the sharp and many edged star

though we should have realized it's only tin.

It clings tightly to Western vests,

And I think, despite my best and only actions

stuck to my winter coat.

I'm still standing,

still after,

I ran miles from where I stood.

I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave And I must face a man who hates me Or lie a coward, a craven coward Or lie a coward in my grave

I drive my car slowly crunching on gray roads.

Either I’m a grandmother who knows better

or still afraid of those faces and opinions I’ll never know.

But I drive towards the scattered black angles that peck along the road.

They clutter the gravel and the gray.

I brake and approach held back by more than just my foot.

Some stay still. Others swoop.

But because I’m quick to act at being slow, not one dies today.

Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty Look at that big hand move along Nearin' high noon

All the things I think I thought I fought for

But really might not have ever done.

On that road we meet in the narrow headlights

the possum benefits from lessons learned.

And because it’s me, arriving home eyes obsessed with the road ahead,

The uglied, pitied creature lives.

He made a vow while in state prison Vowed it would be my life or his'n I'm not afraid of death but oh What will I do if you leave me?

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' You made that promise as a bride Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin' Now that I need you by my side