You count quarters in frozen palm
Bridge cables hum a low psalm
Headlights cut the river fog
Your booth glows like a dying log
Coins stack neat in metal tray
Night shift ends at break of day
Speaker posts stand guard in rows
Waiting for the picture shows
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Drive-in wakes to lullaby
Rusted hoods reflect the light
Hymns you sang return tonight
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
You know the Latin by the beat
Ave Maria on repeat
Breath held long on offertory
Now you charge an entry fee
Coins stack neat in metal tray
Night shift ends at break of day
Speaker posts stand guard in rows
Waiting for the picture shows
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Drive-in wakes to lullaby
Rusted hoods reflect the light
Hymns you sang return tonight
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Altos blend in vinyl seats
Ghosts of chorus fill the streets
Projector clicks a steady prayer
Film dust spins in frozen air
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Drive-in wakes to lullaby
Rusted hoods reflect the light
Hymns you sang return tonight
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Last car rolls through gate at three
Taillights bleed red melody
You sweep the booth and lock the door
Screen goes dark but hums once more
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Drive-in wakes to lullaby
Rusted hoods reflect the light
Hymns you sang return tonight
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Morning finds the reels unspooled
Faith and film both briefly fueled
You walk the bridge in pale dawn light
Carrying the hymn through traffic noise
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
Drive-in wakes to lullaby
Rusted hoods reflect the light
Hymns you sang return tonight
Quarter beam cuts midnight sky
The beam still burns in your palm
Quarter beam
