You wipe the gear teeth clean and slow
Morning sun begins to glow
Tiny screws hide in the floor
Fare clock ticks toward noon once more
Rust kisses gear teeth gentle
Time eats what hands assemble
You wind the mainspring tight
Dawn paints your face in gold light
Solder burns mark your wrist lines
Rain etches deep the metal spines
Passenger waits downstairs still
Clock face reflects your eyes at will
Rust kisses gear teeth gentle
Time eats what hands assemble
You wind the mainspring tight
Dawn paints your face in gold light
Dust settles on the magnifying glass
Copper hair catches light like brass
Long haul ends at attic window
Spring unwinds its final turn slow
Rust kisses gear teeth gentle
Time eats what hands assemble
You wind the mainspring tight
Dawn paints your face in gold light
No fare collected for this ride
Road ends where the attic opens wide
Wheels stop turning in the morning
Rust claims the gear without warning
Apprentice becomes the master clock
Hands freeze at quarter past six o'clock
Sun moves across the workbench floor
Metal sleeps in shadows warm and sure
Rust kisses gear teeth gentle
Time eats what hands assemble
You wind the mainspring tight
Dawn paints your face in gold light
Rust claims the final tick alone
Meter stops on this last fare
Morning light stays on the brass