Lyric

Grandma’s apron stained with Sunday stew

Hearts on letters

Folded

Mailed in blue

He walked her home past every shut-up store

Promised her August

Then left for a war

Love was slow

In borrowed coats

Names carved deep in wooden boats

Holding hands

Eyes on the floor

Saving every dance for one person and more

Love was a promise on the front porch rail

Ink on a postcard

Never getting stale

Mom met Dad at some old corner stand

Cherry soda sweating in her hand

Mixtapes spinning in a faded car

They wished on street signs

Called them their stars

Love was loud

On cheap cassettes

Singing along to every secret regret

Parked out late by the closing mall

Writing their dreams on a bathroom stall

Love was a message on a pager glow

“I’ll wait for you” in the after-show

You found me scrolling under sleepless skies

Thumbprint trails and filtered alibis

First date latte

Foam across your lip

You laughed

I reached out

That tiny slip

Love is bright

In a crowded feed

Typing too fast what our hearts both need

Stolen pics in a photo booth

Lying on the floor talking half-truths

Love is a playlist sent at 2 a.m

“Hit repeat if you’re thinking of me again”

Now we’re older

Dishes in the sink

Calendar alerts tell us when to think

Argue over takeout on the floor

Sharing a blanket

Not sure what for

Love is quiet

In the afterglow

Two mugs

Cold

On the kitchen stove

You face the window

I face my phone

Two warm bodies still feeling alone

Love is a question we both rearrange

Trying to stay through every change

Every decade

Same old ache

Different clothes on the same heartbreak

Paper rings

Text goodnights

Candles

Screens

Same soft fights

Tell me

Darling

When we’re through this storm

Will we still reach out for something warm?