Brass case in a felt-lined drawer
Keeps the hours beneath the floor
Cold fluorescent hums above
Keeps the time for no one's love
Pocket watch in the archive dark
Keeps the beat of a quiet heart
Tick-tick-tick through the cellar air
Two still strangers standing there
She comes down with a cart of files
He clocks in and checks the aisles
Neither one says much at all
Just the watch hands on the wall
Pocket watch in the archive dark
Keeps the beat of a quiet heart
Tick-tick-tick through the cellar air
Two still strangers standing there
He pours coffee, black and thick
She takes half and stirs it quick
Steam curls up between their hands
Something neither understands
Pocket watch in the archive dark
Keeps the beat of a quiet heart
Tick-tick-tick through the cellar air
Two still strangers standing there
Lunch pail opens, shares a roll
Passes salt without a word
Swing shift ends and neither leaves
Just the ticking of the gears
Pocket watch in the archive dark
Keeps the beat of a quiet heart
Tick-tick-tick through the cellar air
Two quiet strangers standing there
Tick-tick in the dark
Tick-tick in the dark
