Testify

10/22/2008

Fair skin, red lips
Black dress and fingertips
Eyes red, pure denial
Averting gaze as though on trial
Bite on your cheek
To keep from crying
Tell him it's fine
You're testifying

She's in a nice dress
Looking her best
And she feels ugly as sin
He's looking away
Just like everyday
She's been getting so thin

"You look worried"
Her reply is hurried
As she fixes her hair
It's not like he'll see
Like he'll look at me
But she tries, unfailing, unfair.

Tough times, tough call
He wants to leave, she wants to stall
Say she moves you still
She's trying so hard, she has the will
Invisible to your naked eye
She's waiting, trying not to cry
She's beautiful, it's a fact
So look at her and fucking react

What has he asked
What complex task
That she hasn't done so well?
There's not a one
Under the sun
She's done it all, gone through hell.

Her smile lasts
Through all that's passed
Wake up and hang on tight
Just hold her close
She won't oppose
She'll be there to make it all right

Hang on, calm her fears
When she whispers, promise you'll hear
Brush her hair into place
Hold on softly to her face
Take the time, realize
All the colours in her eyes
Tell her you love her, tell her why
She shouldn't have to testify.