Mary and Fanny

Mary and Fanny, and Mary and Fanny;
A twin pair as close as a flower and fairy.
 
"I'm Fanny!" "I'm Mary!"  "No, no, Ma, I'm Mary!" 
"Oh Ma, I'm teasing. I'm Fanny, not Mary!"
 
They run up and down twenty steps to the basement
And splash in mud puddles with girlish amazement.
They  grasp hands and jump. They roll in the heather.
They look and they laugh so alike, so together.

Mary and Fanny, and Fanny and Mary.
But gradually Mary paled; paled pallid pallor.
 
"Come Mary! Sand castles! Come play by the shore!
Oh Ma, I'm begging! She'll smile no more?
 
Fanny jumps stairs to their bright yellow nursery.
"Come Mary, come play! 'Tis our birth anniversary!"
But Mary no longer has running or laughter, 
Nor will twins be alike and a-stride ever-after.
 
Fanny and Fanny, and Fanny and Fanny;
Just Fanny and memories of 'Mary and Fanny'.