Paper Lantern Pulse
Verse 1 Stringing paper lanterns on the peeling white
Tiny bulbs are humming in the middle of the night. Colored shells are throwing circles on the books
Chipped cups waiting in the dusty nooks. Laughter from the kitchen
swearing at the heat
Smoke alarm is waiting for the burning meat. Sitting on the couch with springs that poke the skin
Watching how the chaos lets the evening in.
Verse 2 Traffic noise is leaking through the paper wall
Pipes are banging heavy in the narrow hall. Dinner burning slightly in the frying pan
Smelling safe and better than a complex plan. Stirring with the one hand
tapping with the left
Humming out a rhythm in the treble clef. Blue and red are lighting up the shoulder bone
Making something holy out of what we own.
Pre-Chorus Never had the matching plates or silverware
Drawer full of forks that make a mismatched pair. Handing me a bowl with a crooked grin
Best damn service that I’ve ever been in.
Chorus Under paper lanterns, feeling out the pulse
Kitchen turns to something that is never false. No diamond rings
just edges burned on food
Music from a cracked screen setting up the mood. Hand slides on the table
fingers finding mine, Simple and electric
walking on the line. If love needs a witness
give it this tonight
Messy and uneven in the colored light.
Verse 3 Eating on the carpet, cross-legged on the floor
Plates on cardboard boxes near the pantry door. Teasing on the horror flicks and spicy heat
Knees are bumping gently every time we eat. Winter working hard against the window pane
Frost is trying entry but it tries in vain. Socks are never matching
hair is in a mess
Building up a warmth inside the happiness.
Pre-Chorus No big stories
just the rent that’s coming due
Worn out hoodies and the things we make do. Tucking in the blankets when the draft gets cold
Better than the stories that the movies told.
Chorus Under paper lanterns, feeling out the pulse
Kitchen turns to something that is never false. No diamond rings
just edges burned on food
Music from a cracked screen setting up the mood. Hand slides on the table
fingers finding mine, Simple and electric
walking on the line. If love needs a witness
give it this tonight
Messy and uneven in the colored light.
Bridge Years might strip the paint and sell the building down
We might pack the boxes for another town. Folding up the memories inside the crate
Leaving this apartment
walking through the gate. But I will keep the picture of the stove and steam
Waking up for real inside the happy dream.
Outro Lanterns start to sway above the heater vent
Casting dancing shadows where the light is bent. Turn the music louder
pull me to the feet
Dancing in the kitchen where the edges meet.