I hold the red lantern glow
Kanji signs in ripple flow
Salaryman drops his briefcase
Wet leather sings a quiet case
Wipers sweep the midnight grime
Fare meter climbs in borrowed time
Engine coughs a diesel hymn
Night shift ends where night begins
Night fare trapped in shattered glass
Every rider leaves a trace
Neon gospels on wet asphalt
In the puddle's silver face
Hostess bars spill cheap champagne
Business cards dissolve in rain
Driver lights a menthol cigarette
Meter stops the fare is set
Wipers sweep the midnight grime
Fare meter climbs in borrowed time
Engine coughs a diesel hymn
Night shift ends where night begins
Night fare trapped in shattered glass
Every rider leaves a trace
Neon gospels on wet asphalt
In the puddle's silver face
Stray cat crosses neon beam
Pauses where the light rays gleam
Driver checks his watch face twice
Calculates the night's precise price
No GPS for human sorrow
Only fares borrowed for tomorrow
Rain erases every track
But the puddle holds them back
Night fare trapped in shattered glass
Every rider leaves a trace
Neon gospels on wet asphalt
In the puddle's silver face
Dawn cracks gray on Shibuya sky
Meter resets the night says goodbye
Last reflection fades to clear
Puddle waits for next year
Night fare trapped in shattered glass
Every rider leaves a trace
Neon gospels on wet asphalt
In the puddle's silver face
Rain stops writing on the street
Night fare paid the drive complete
