Little Temple by the Highway

[Verse 1] There was a light beside the road Where midnight leaned against the rain A little shrine of chrome and gold Calling every wanderer by name [Verse 2] And from the hills a dragon came With smoke still sleeping in his throat He saw the colors through the glass And heard the ancient motors groan [Chorus] Cold little temple by the highway Why do you keep what I desire? I have crossed the burning mountains I have carried ancient fire [Verse 3] He pressed his face against the glow Red spirals turning green and blue Salted moons in silver skins A hundred dreams he could not chew [Verse 4] He laid one shining coin below And chose the treasure marked thirteen The number flashed, the engine sighed Then nothing moved inside the machine [Bridge] He waited The stars waited The whole night held its breath [Chorus] Cold little temple by the highway Why do you keep what I desire? I have slept beneath dead planets I have swallowed storm and sky [Verse 5] He tried again with gentler claws As though politeness might persuade The little buttons blinked like saints Who knew the joke that fate had made [Verse 6] He whispered softly to the glass I ask for almost nothing here One humble ring of spice and salt One mortal pleasure, bright and dear [Chorus] Cold little temple by the highway You have made a fool of fire I have roared into the heavens I have cursed the great divide [Bridge] Let the galaxies collapse now Let the constellations ring I want nothing from eternity Just give me the thing [Verse 7] Clunk—something moved behind the glass One little bag came falling down The dragon froze, the night grew still The stars returned above the town [Chorus] Warm little temple by the highway I forgive your cruel design You have tested flame and patience You have wasted half my night [Outro] But the world is soft around me And the morning has begun I have crossed the burning mountains And I finally got one One bag One beautiful bag He sat beneath the paling stars With crumbs of gold upon his claws And for a little while The dragon wanted nothing more