Meter clicks the morning mile
Sandstone ribs guard broken trail
Tokens rust in vinyl seat
Route lines bleed in desert heat
Paper folds where subways sang
Now the mesa takes the clang
Transfer punched for no return
Wheels eat dust where tunnels burn
Fare box swallows silver ghost
Passenger counts mesas toast
Window frames the red-rock climb
Schedule dies on borrowed time
Paper folds where subways sang
Now the mesa takes the clang
Transfer punched for no return
Wheels eat dust where tunnels burn
Radio spits static hymns
Dashboard cracks where sunlight swims
Compass needle forgets north
Map forgets its own true worth
Canyon walls don't ask for change
They just watch the mileage range
No next stop announced aloud
Only sky and grinding cloud
Thermos lid seals morning bitter
Map corners curl and flitter
Driver checks the rearview glass
Sees the city fade to brass
Paper folds where subways sang
Now the mesa takes the clang
Transfer punched for no return
Wheels eat dust where tunnels burn
Passenger traces creased blue lines
Where express trains left diamond signs
Finger taps a station dead
Mesa keeps the route instead
Paper folds where subways sang
Now the mesa takes the clang
Transfer punched for no return
Wheels eat dust where tunnels burn
Shout the refrain to canyon walls
Desert takes the final calls
Engine sighs on sandstone rim
Map sleeps quiet, folded dim
