Lyric

The door shut behind me

I stood near the table

The keys stayed pressed

Inside my palm

One edge marked my thumb

One ring touched my finger

My hand had finished

None of its work

The bowl was waiting

The hook was empty

My jacket still hung

From one tired arm

I looked at the keys

I looked at the table

Then kept both questions

In the same hand

I was inside

But not settled yet

The room was ready

My fingers were not

I Kept the Keys in My Hand

The lock was done

With its part

The door had nothing

Left to ask

Still the metal stayed

Against my skin

Like the outside

Had followed in

I crossed the room

Without deciding

Stood by the chair

And missed the seat

The strap on my jacket

Touched the floor

The table waited

At my side

I was inside

But not settled yet

The room was ready

My fingers were not

I Kept the Keys in My Hand

There was a place

Made for this

A small ceramic bowl

Near the mail

There was a hook

Beside the frame

There was a counter

Clear enough

I had options

I had proof

I had done

The hardest part

But my thumb stayed curved

My palm stayed closed

The keys stayed warm

From being carried

I wanted the day

To leave my fingers

I wanted the train

Off my shoulders

I wanted the elevator

Out of my knees

I wanted my name

Off the small metal ring

But wanting

Is not an action

And standing

Can take a while

I checked my pocket

For nothing

Then checked it again

The keys clicked once

Against my belt

A tiny sound

With too much weight

I put the mail down

I moved a cup

I turned toward the sink

I turned back again

My hand still carried

The door with it

My palm still knew

The shape

I was inside

But not settled yet

The room was ready

My fingers were not

I Kept the Keys in My Hand

At some point

I set them down

Not gently

Not with meaning

Just metal

Against ceramic

Just one job

Finally passed over

My hand stayed bent

For a second after

Like it had not heard

The change

The keys were in the bowl

The bowl was on the table

The room looked almost

The same as before

I was inside

But not settled yet

The room was ready

My fingers were late

I Kept the Keys in My Hand

Too long

After the door

Too long

After arriving