The tower light is cold and dead
I walk the rows where snow is spread
A heavy brass key weighs my coat
No door exists no latch no note
The wind blows in off frozen bay
It knows the paths I used to take
This metal bites the glove I wear
A lockless burden I must bear
Brass key no door in dusk's cold gleam
Watching over snow's white dream
I kept the flame for drowning men
Now keep this key for roots again
The apples fell to rot and ice
No ladder climbs to paradise
I polished glass through gale and spray
Now fingers stiffen turned to clay
The wind blows in off frozen bay
It knows the paths I used to take
This metal bites the glove I wear
A lockless burden I must bear
Brass key no door in dusk's cold gleam
Watching over snow's white dream
I kept the flame for drowning men
Now keep this key for roots again
The sector light swept thirty miles
Through rain and fog and jagged isles
This orchard holds a quiet sound
No foghorn here just frozen ground
Brass key no door in dusk's cold gleam
Watching over snow's white dream
I kept the flame for drowning men
Now keep this key for roots again
The lantern room is empty now
No oil cans no solemn vow
But habit wakes me every night
To check the key in dusk's last light
Brass key no door in dusk's cold gleam
Watching over snow's white dream
I kept the flame for drowning men
Now keep this key for roots again
The stars come out like lens shards bright
No ship will wreck on roots tonight
I hang the key on a nail of
