[Intro] [Verse 1] Bag by the doorway, strap in a twist Black wrap loose around my wrist Fridge light cuts across the tile Three cold tomatoes in my palm Glass box open — salmon, rice Greens and sesame, fork taps twice Four quick bites, no plate, no chair I turn to leave, then stop right there [Pre-Chorus] Chair from this morning, out by an inch Shoulder turns before I think Palm finds wood and draws it straight I catch my hand a fraction late Halfway in, I leave it there My hand goes quiet in the air [Chorus] My hand gets there first I’m one beat late Chair pulled straight, lid snapped shut Every small thing knows its place My hand gets there first I’m one beat late Tonight I catch it halfway through One beat hanging in the air One beat late [Verse 2] Black wrap slips where tile meets wood I turn before I know I would One step back, then let it lie Black comma in the hallway light Bedspread twisted, corner low Palm goes flat before I know Stops one breath above the fold I fall across it, clothes and all [Pre-Chorus] Red line circles round my wrist Thumb comes up to answer it Stops one breath above the skin Then drops beside my thigh again [Chorus] My hand gets there first I’m one beat late Chair pulled straight, lid snapped shut Every small thing knows its place My hand gets there first I’m one beat late Tonight I catch it halfway through One beat hanging in the air One beat late [Bridge] Pipes knock once behind the wall Headlights climb, then slide and fall My hand hangs empty by the sink One beat longer than it thinks Bathroom dark — my fingers find the switch before I look How many nights did these hands get home before I did? [Break] Black wrap on the hallway floor Chair half in Glass box by the sink The lock stays quiet The fridge kicks in [Final Chorus] My hand gets there first I’m one beat late Chair out of line, wrap on the floor Nothing rushes back in place My hand gets there first Then waits one beat Halfway up, it stops in air Long enough — I meet it there This time we move on the same beat [Outro] Shower on, steam on glass Headlights climb the wall and pass Bag by the doorway, black wrap stays Water on my shoulders Night on its way
