Rain hammers on the porch roof tin
Water finds the cracks and drips within
River rises black and cold as storm
You hum the tune that keeps the dark warm
Lantern swings on its brass chain hook
You take the toll from every wandering soul
The thunder answers with a rolling boom
The river swallows each and makes them whole
You smile inside your little wooden room
Coins shine wet in the lantern light
Coins stack neat in rows like lighthouse stone
Each piece drops with a solid heavy tone
River logs float past your numbered gate
You watch them pass and calculate their weight
Ledger pages stay bone dry and clean
You take the toll from every wandering soul
The thunder answers with a rolling boom
The river swallows each and makes them whole
You smile inside your little wooden room
Coins shine wet in the lantern light
Lightning writes its name across the sky
Thunder signs the paper loud and high
Logbook fills with names and axle weights
Ink stays dry while thunder marks the dates
Pencil lead moves sharp and deliberate
You take the toll from every wandering soul
The thunder answers with a rolling boom
The river swallows each and makes them whole
You smile inside your little wooden room
Coins shine wet in the lantern light
Dawn breaks pale across the steel bridge span
Storm retreats like tide from soggy land
Final coins clink in the metal tray
You close the window end the working
