No Coffee Downtown

music by Zeph E Daniel
Got my card in my coat
And a strap on my bag
I’m late by five again
That’s how the morning goes

The platform smells like rain
And old gum on the tile
I watch the train roll in
With a tired little smile

Doors open, crowd leans in
I lose my place again
My hands keep reaching out
For a cup that isn’t there

No coffee downtown
I’m barely standing now
No coffee downtown
Don’t talk to me right now
(No coffee downtown)
I need one small mercy
(No coffee downtown)
Before the whole day hurts me

Somebody bumps my shoulder
My hat hits the floor
A baby starts crying
By the sliding glass door

My phone says “You’re almost there”
Like that helps any
I stare at the dark glass
And it stares back at me

Signs blur by too fast
My head stays in a fog
One empty paper cup
Feels like a broken promise

No coffee downtown
I’m barely standing now
No coffee downtown
Don’t talk to me right now
(No coffee downtown)
I need one small mercy
(No coffee downtown)
Before the whole day hurts me

I spot a corner shop
Two blocks past the stairs
If I can make it there
I might still come back

Just one hot cup
Just one second to breathe
Then I can face the crowd
And they can all let me be

No coffee downtown
I’m barely standing now
No coffee downtown
Don’t talk to me right now
(No coffee downtown)
I need one small mercy
(No coffee downtown)
Before the whole day hurts me