by Bruce Boston
All the world over, they searched for love.
They saw each other, below and above.
He took his hat off. She took his smile.
They met in a tea shop and tea-ed for a while.
It's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow,
those world-famous lovers we all love and know.
Champagne for the lady! Scotch up for the joe!
That's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow.
Their courtship was touted throughout the WorldNet.
Their feuds and their make-ups ran through our sets.
He said he loved her. “Oh,...yes,” she agreed.
At a spaceport on Luna: “ARRESTED FOR SPEED!”
It's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow,
those world-famous lovers we all love and know.
Hats off to the pair, boys! On with the show!
That's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow.
Their flesh is unreal, their story spun gold.
They are virtual constructs, beautiful molds.
What does it matter? They've stolen our hearts.
We knew they were binary code from the start.
It's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow.
We worship their image, its faint afterglow.
We know they're not real! But don't let it show!
That's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow.
Now five years of sharing can change a love bed
from clover and laces, to thorns and cold lead.
He said, "It's over!" She said, "No use!"
Now Chrysalis Crystal is charging "ABUSE!"
It's Chrysalis Crystal and Andiron Snow,
those holo-creations we all love and know.
Sweet Chrysalis Crystal! Dear Andiron Snow!
If it never existed, then where could it go?
Appeared in Asimov's SF Magazine