We sit in silence, Here in real time, Vacant and online, A dead-space punchline. This is the couch time, same room, two screens, Face to face but talking in emojis and schemes. You type a paragraph, then you hit delete, Emoji conversations left on repeat. You send me a meme that says “I’m fine, I swear,” But the punchline doubles when you’re right there. We’re almost honest in the typing line, Both of us laughing so we don’t define. You ask, “So… where are we?” as your eyes roll back, I joke my way around it, dodge a heart attack. Turn big-talk into banter, flip the script on cue, If I keep it funny, I don’t have to answer you. Not the first time, not the last time, Not next time — we’re only halfway through the dance. It’s change-the-subject time, leave it for another time, We might miss the beat, but we can’t miss this chance. Not the safe time, your insane time, You glitch out every time we almost start to talk. Not the right time, your neon stop sign, It’s the only time you take a stance. You wanted me time, your wait-and-see line, Not the first time, we do this every time. We make reservations we might not keep, But talk like the future’s already asleep. You cancel with hearts, I reply with memes, Somehow it still feels like we’re on the same team. You’re late on purpose, I’m early by style, We meet in the doorway, off by a mile. Your keys are on the counter, but you’re not at home, You’re staring past my face, like you’re scrolling on your phone. You say, “Just say where we are,” with that half-smirk stare, I load another punchline like a quick repair. Turn feelings into setup, spin the truth as bits, If I keep you laughing, maybe nothing really sticks. Not the first time, not the last time, Not next time — we’re only halfway through the dance. It’s change-the-subject time, leave it for another time, We might miss the beat, but we can’t miss this chance. Not the safe time, your insane time, You glitch out every time we almost start to talk. Not the right time, your neon stop sign, It’s the only time you take a stance. You wanted me time, your wait-and-see line, Not the first time, we do this every time. First time you said “never,” it echoed “soon,” Last time you said “later,” it meant “next afternoon.” We trade little futures in half-price words, Lit up with match sticks and let them burn. If the question is the answer, it moves too fast, If the answer is the question, I hope it lasts. You’re scrolling through the silence with your screen-light eyes, I’m right here on the couch asking if you’re on my side. [Final Chorus (double hit)] Not the first time, not the last time, Not next time — we’re only halfway through the dance. It’s change-the-subject time, leave it for another time, We might miss the beat, but we can’t miss this chance. Not the safe time, your insane time, You glitch out every time we almost start to talk. Not the right time, your neon stop sign, It’s the only time you take a stance. You wanted me time, your wait-and-see line, Not the first time we do this every time. Every time, every time… “Dead space punchline Halfway, that’s our favorite time. Dead space punchline
