Step it Out Mary: The Augustine Steward House

the Augustine Steward house 1530, Tombland Alley, Norwich

Step it Out Mary: The Augustine Steward House

 

Mary do not step it out tonight.  My fine daughter, stay in with us instead. Here in this house.

Please, for the Love of All That is Holy, do not show your legs to that country man.

Norwich is a ghost town and the deep stream running by

has been diverted past the Steward House.

 

It is your wedding day,

pretend someone else is getting married,

instead put on this grey work dress, wander from room to room, make yourself busy.

Although the moon is high it is not yet midnight, stay here with us.

 

Do not go down to the water with the Soldier Boy,

no matter what he promises. Stay here with us.

It is not worth drowning yourselves over.

 

The Augustine Steward house is hushed and dark in midnight shadows.

There is no music, the fiddle band has left, turned away at the boarded-up door.

Her Father, his rage played out, lies voicelessly still next to her mute mother.

 

Mary, you do not have to step it out tonight, or ever again.

Stay here with us in Tombland in the velvet dark.

You will never have to wear that wedding band, eat cake or grow old.

Sunday is just another day, no weddings, no honeymoon breakfast, no riverbed for a resting place.

Stay here. With us. Do not leave.

 


 

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