Rusted gate swings on one hinge
Moss swallows concrete fringe
Owl tilts head counts my boots
Film roll winds no substitutes
Flash bulb pops white ghost light
Negative catches midnight
Bus tires hiss wet pavement
Schedule lost in basement
Viewfinder frames green steel ribs
Shutter speed outruns the fibs
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Camera hangs heavy on chest
Industrial heart puts fear to rest
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Smokestack wears crown of fern
Rain rusts what did not burn
Owl blinks once two three four
Boot heels tap on factory floor
Lens cap pocket warm and lost
Exposure set at any cost
Bus tires hiss wet pavement
Schedule lost in basement
Viewfinder frames green steel ribs
Shutter speed outruns the fibs
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Camera hangs heavy on chest
Industrial heart puts fear to rest
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Wurlitzer wobbles through cracked glass
Notes bend like wet summer grass
Owl spreads wings silent lift
Moss cushions every heavy gift
Frame counter clicks thirty six
Last shot saves the fading fix
No neon here no city hum
Just owl and moss and midnight drum
Negative dries on clothespin line
Developer stains these hands of mine
Bus comes bus goes I stay
Counting steps the owl way
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Camera hangs heavy on chest
Industrial heart puts fear to rest
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Dawn paints rust in copper gold
Moss drinks light the ruin holds
Owl sleeps now in rafter beam
Footsteps counted like a dream
Film canister clicks shut tight
Bus arrives in morning light
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Camera hangs heavy on chest
Industrial heart puts fear to rest
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Owl counts steps moss counts time
Ruin breathes in ruined rhyme
Shutter clicks once
Tape runs out