Chrome stool holds a weary frame
Vinyl cracked from years of rain
Coffee steam climbs slow and straight
Flashlight beam guards half a plate
Night shift hums a low refrain
Pie crust crumbles on the wrap
Salt shaker catches in the gap
Floor tom thumps a steady map
Heart beats time in overlapping
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Watchman's gift from turning tide
Booth becomes a shelter wide
Light and dark learn to abide
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Rain streaks glass in silver lines
Diner sign flickers, buzzes, signs
Waitress wipes the counter clean
Flashlight sweeps the shadow scene
Keeps the night from closing in
Pie crust crumbles on the wrap
Salt shaker catches in the gap
Floor tom thumps a steady map
Heart beats time in overlapping
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Watchman's gift from turning tide
Booth becomes a shelter wide
Light and dark learn to abide
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Bacon grease and diesel mix
Clock ticks slow past forty-six
Logbook rests on splintered wood
Beam paints circles where he stood
Keeps the creeping cold from sticks
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Watchman's gift from turning tide
Booth becomes a shelter wide
Light and dark learn to abide
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Trucker nods with hollow eyes
Shares a smoke beneath the skies
Flashlight passes hand to hand
Brief alliance in the land
Where the road and hunger rise
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Watchman's gift from turning tide
Booth becomes a shelter wide
Light and dark learn to abide
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Dawn bleeds gray through greasy pane
Night shift folds its watch again
Beam clicks off, the circle ends
Diner breathes, the morning blends
Keeper rests his weathered reign
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Watchman's gift from turning tide
Booth becomes a shelter wide
Light and dark learn to abide
Beam at three cuts deep and wide
Light cuts the dark at three
Keeper drinks his coffee free
