Camera sits on sandstone wall
Salt spray kisses leather case
Thirty-six frames left to stall
Harbor breathes in purple haze
Salt on the lens salt on the film
Sydney dusk won't wait for him
Salt on the lens salt on the roll
Stories develop in the soul
Tourist dropped it chasing light
Ferry horn cuts through the air
Left it for the coming night
Now the coast is stripped and bare
Salt on the lens salt on the film
Sydney dusk won't wait for him
Salt on the lens salt on the roll
Stories develop in the soul
I know waitresses who'd swipe
Tips left sticky on the plate
But this gear stays out of sight
Honest work don't tempt the fate
Salt on the lens salt on the film
Sydney dusk won't wait for him
Salt on the lens salt on the roll
Stories develop in the soul
Twelve-string hums from level three
Prophet pads swell warm and deep
Camera watches free
While the city goes to sleep
Shutter clicks in dreams I keep
Frames of grease and coffee steam
Harbor holds what we can't speak
Develops in the dark unseen
Morning jogger finds the prize
Winds it up with curious thumb
Sees the harbor through my eyes
Salt and silver overcome
Salt on the lens salt on the film
Sydney dusk won't wait for him
Salt on the lens salt on the roll
Every frame develops whole
Salt on the lens remains
Harbor keeps the exposed frames