four years ago you stood on that stage with a microphone
and the words flowed from your mouth in such a way
that made giggles flow from mine.
she and i held hands,
and vowed to each other
an unspoken allegiance to you
and that voice.

tonight you stood on the same stage
with a microphone;
the words were different,
but they flowed the same.
this time, she stood behind you, smiling
and i sat in the audience
like i had four years ago,
not giggling anymore
but still allegiant.