Coffee steam rises off my stones
Tire treads write in muddy tones
Regular rider same route home
Know his rhythm in my bones
Tip's included in the grime
I count boots on my gray spine
Heels and toes keep perfect time
Cyclist pauses kicks a stone
Midnight shift I work alone
Every footfall writes my name
Gravel glory gravel fame
Banjo twangs from the porch next door
Cello weeps on the wooden floor
Foot stomp shakes my compacted core
Prairie wind asks for one more
Encore's free on the house tonight
I count boots on my gray spine
Heels and toes keep perfect time
Cyclist pauses kicks a stone
Midnight shift I work alone
Every footfall writes my name
Gravel glory gravel fame
Headlamp sweeps like a short-order grill
Shadows flip standing perfectly still
Gravel sings beneath the downhill
Night shift coffee bitter chill
Order up the dawn gets filled
I count boots on my gray spine
Heels and toes keep perfect time
Cyclist pauses kicks a stone
Midnight shift I work alone
Every footfall writes my name
Gravel glory gravel fame
Boots stop moving rider breathes
Counts his steps before he leaves
Measures distance counts the cost
Gravel remembers what was lost
No check presented no receipt
Dawn cracks eggs on the horizon line
Yolk spills gold on these stones of mine
Cyclist mounts clips in just fine
Another shift another sign
Same time tomorrow same design
I count boots on my gray spine
Heels and toes keep perfect time
Cyclist pauses kicks a stone
Midnight shift I work alone
Every footfall writes my name
Gravel glory gravel fame
Kickstand down the counting ends
Morning regulars become friends
