Cold wind hits the toll booth glass
Watching heavy tankers pass
Scent of diesel in the air
Counting coins with steady care
Silver change and ink on page
Different locks upon the cage
One collects the rushing tide
One keeps old memories inside
Basement air is cool and dry
Where the yellowed papers lie
White gloves touch a leather spine
Tracing out a steady line
Silver change and ink on page
Different locks upon the cage
One collects the rushing tide
One keeps old memories inside
Coffee in a plastic cup
Wait for morning sun to wake up
Steel beams hum a low refrain
Wash the asphalt clean with rain
A copper coin, a handwritten note
A heavy key, a velvet coat
We trade the noise for quiet halls
Between the concrete and the walls
Sorting files in dim blue light
Holding back the edge of night
Paper smell and heavy glue
Finding something old and true
Silver change and ink on page
Different locks upon the cage
One collects the rushing tide
One keeps old memories inside
Shift is done, the gate swings wide
Now there is no place to hide
Walk the bridge to reach the door
Walking on the marble floor
Silver change and ink on page
Different locks upon the cage
One collects the rushing tide
One keeps old memories inside
Just a coin, just a page
Turning over a new age
Silver and ink.
