Let the Stars Forever Burn

For my River Song

A golden halo 'round your face,

a glimmer in your eye.

A smirk of wit, a stride of grace,

a thousand clever lies.

A circle with no end, no start,

and love that must stand firm

and guard a brave and lonely heart

from a man who never learns.

Who never whispers in your ear

what you deserve to know.

A man who's taught you year by year

that you must never show

the damage that his silence does,

the pain he leaves you in;

the cost you suffer all because

he only sees you grin -

and bat your lashes like a star,

and flirt and shoot and tease -

determined that you'll never mar

the perfect You he sees.

I see, though, you are suffering,

a burden light as lead,

of words you wish to say to me

that never leave your head.

It seems we cannot get this right

for all we each have done;

that one of us must always fight,

the battle never won.

So let these pages be our ears,

this ink, these pens our hearts:

our greatest hopes, our deepest fears

betrayed, without the arts

of smiling, catch-phrases and whispers

that kindle fires bright

but never reach the listener

in their sincerest light.

When we no more can stand to bear

our secrets, let them fall,

and next to them the joys we share

shall help us build a wall

of love and fortune 'gainst the tides

of grief and loss and time:

to give us each a place to hide

where I am yours, you mine.

And let the stars forever burn

with words we cannot say,

and things forgotten 'ere they're learnt

if that's to love our way.