You wipe the counter grease rag worn
Coffee steam curls white and thin
Three a.m. and eggs are born
Rowboat sits on subway skin
Wooden ribs hold midnight air
Patient as a short-order prayer
No oars no water just the tile
Guarding nothing waiting while
Regulars don't ask no why
They know the boat they know the grind
Steam rises where the tracks lie dry
Rowboat keeps its wooden mind
Wooden ribs hold midnight air
Patient as a short-order prayer
No oars no water just the tile
Guarding nothing waiting while
Muted sax sighs through the vent
Bass line walks the checkered floor
You flip a pancake heaven sent
Rowboat dreams of distant shore
No schedule posted no fare collected
Just varnish peeled and time respected
The platform hums a low blue note
Rowboat rocks without a boat
You pour the dregs for Joe and Mae
They nod toward the silent craft
No tickets punched no debt to pay
Just wood that waits worn smooth and aft
Wooden ribs hold midnight air
Patient as a short-order prayer
No oars no water just the tile
Guarding nothing waiting while
First light bleeds through grates above
Rowboat catches pale new day
You lock the grill you lock the love
Wooden guardian stays to stay
Wooden ribs hold midnight air
Patient as a short-order prayer
No oars no water just the tile
Guarding nothing waiting while
Rowboat waits on subway tile
Last cup poured the sign flips closed
Rowboat rests where no one goes
