Coffee steam rises from chipped white mug
Grease stains map the grill like old rug
Bell rings twice, the regulars know
Midnight shift moves steady and slow
Back door swings to frozen air
Boots crunch deep on sidewalk bare
Pages glow from corner shop
Cat sits still on windowsill top
Orchard cat with amber eyes
Lights the snow in violet skies
Paw prints trace the frozen rows
Where the silent apple grows
Ink and paper smell the room
Tail flicks slow against the gloom
Owner nods, pours cream in saucer
Cat owns night like a loud crooner
Orchard cat with amber eyes
Lights the snow in violet skies
Paw prints trace the frozen rows
Where the silent apple grows
Grill cools down but fire stays
Different heat in different ways
No tickets called, no orders barked
Just moonlight paths distinctly marked
Snow weighs heavy on the boughs
Cat walks paths no human knows
Each step a spark in dusk's deep blue
Orchard lights for me and you
Apron hung on hooks by dawn
Night shift ghosts all faded gone
But orchard cat still burns bright
Guiding cookies through the night
Orchard cat with amber eyes
Lights the snow in violet skies
Paw prints trace the frozen rows
Where the silent apple grows
Orchard cat knows what I know
Orchard cat knows what I know
Amber eyes in violet snow
Orchard cat, I watch you go
