Red Letter On The Door
Woke up to that crooked paper taped sideways on my door
Red ink screaming louder than the footsteps on the floor
Coffee gone bitter in a cup from the night before
Feels like this whole damn building wants me gone by four.
Boss cut my hours with that soft little corporate grin
Told me I should feel lucky while he’s raking it in
Got a wallet full of receipts and a pocket full of dust
Counting every crumpled dollar like it’s a matter of trust.
Hook
That red letter on the door keeps burning in my head
Every line on it whispers “pay up or you’re dead
” I shuffle checks and coins till my fingers get sore
Still that red letter waits like a bouncer at the door.
Landlord left a message saying “We really need to talk
” Funny how he vanishes when the heater starts to balk
Laundry in a trash bag, dishes rotting in the sink
I keep playing tug of war with how much I shouldn’t drink.
Neighbor’s getting hauled out, couch tossed in the rain
Baby crying down the hallway, mama hiding the strain
We pass each other silent on that cracked tile floor
Different names on the mail, same wolf at the door.
Hook
That red letter on the door keeps burning in my head
Every line on it whispers “pay up or you’re dead
” I shuffle checks and coins till my fingers get sore
Still that red letter waits like a bouncer at the door.
I lay the light bill down by the rent like a losing hand
Juggle promises and coffee while the city makes demands
Scratch-off ticket in my pocket like a two-dollar dream
While those pastel envelopes start to rip at the seam.
Streetlight flickers through the blinds like it’s keeping score
I’m rehearsing little speeches while I pace the floor
If tomorrow pays up, maybe I buy one more week
If it doesn’t
it’s a stairwell pillow and a concrete cheek.
Double Hook / Outro
That red letter on the door keeps burning in my head
Every line on it whispers “pay up or you’re dead
” I shuffle checks and coins till my fingers get sore
Still that red letter waits like a bouncer at the door.
That red letter on the door keeps singing off-key
But I’m still here breathing where they thought I’d flee
Till the ink fades out or I can’t stand no more
I’ll be toe to toe with that paper at the door.