Another Key On The Same Ring

Another Key On The Same Ring

Another key upon the ring
another mug in the sink
another coat upon the chair
give me time to think

Rain is hitting hard
on the old row house
hallway smells of coffee
and a secondhand blouse

Three sets of boots
mud drying brown
laces tied in knots
that we threw down

Pictures on the wall
tilting to the side
from bodies walking past
and the heavy stride

Four keys hanging
on the metal hook
teeth lined up
inside the little nook

Bedroom doors open to the hall
light spilling soft against the wall
one room holds the six-string
and the pick
another holds the paint
and everything

The middle is a crash
of books and sound
where all the scattered pieces
can be found

Sometimes we are together
in the space
sometimes apart
but in the same place

No secrets hidden in a motel bed
no double phones
with things we never said
we live a strange gospel in the air
four signatures upon the lease we share

Streetlight stretching out
across the floor
bare feet on the tile
by the door

He comes in laughing
from the outer cold
cheeks pink
a story to be told

She pours the tea
I listen to the tale
glad to see
the wind is in his sail

Later on we talk about the fear
holding it
until it’s not as near

Honesty is looking in the eye
even when the jealousy is high
sitting on the stairs
until it stops
until the heavy pressure
finally drops

This isn’t perfect balance
painted nice
sometimes we pay
the heavy angry price

Logistics crushing down
upon the head
wishing we were lonely
in the bed

But every time we think
to walk away
something in the body
makes us stay

I’d rather wrestle
with the mess we keep
than be alone and empty
in my sleep

Rain begins to slow
above the head
house is settling down
into the bed

Four keys clicking
in the lock tonight
one life shared
and doing it alright