Fog swallows switchyard whole tonight
Brass key rests on frozen steel
No door exists to turn it right
Just gravel teeth and wheel to wheel
Camera catches cold reveal
Key keeps watch on tracks that sleep
Promises it cannot keep
Rust remembers what we sow
Morning burns the mist away slow
Teenager snaps with shaking hand
Shutter catches silver light
Key reflects the ghosted land
No lock waits through endless night
Film holds breath in morning white
Key keeps watch on tracks that sleep
Promises it cannot keep
Rust remembers what we sow
Morning burns the mist away slow
Bus engine coughs on highway near
Driver checks his mirror twice
Key stays put while dust clears here
Patient metal pays the price
Exhaust writes its signature in air
Fingers trace the cold bow curve
Wonder what it used to turn
Every lock has lost its nerve
Years teach lessons we must learn
Metal remembers does not yearn
Key keeps watch on tracks that sleep
Promises it cannot keep
Rust remembers what we sow
Morning burns the mist away slow
Sun breaks through the grey canopy
Key glints warm in golden ray
Fog retreats from steel and quay
Doorless watch ends for today
Lens captures light first play
Key kept watch on tracks that slept
Promises it never kept
Rust remembers what we sowed
Morning burned the mist away slow
Camera clicks one final frame
Brass key stays but fog is gone
