Lyric

The keys were in my pocket

The coat was on the chair

The hallway light was waiting

Like I was going somewhere

The mat held one small shadow

The lock stayed cold and clean

I stood inside my own place

Halfway to being seen

Shoes by the door

Like I had somewhere to be

Laces loose and ready

Quiet there without me

Your street was on the weather

Your time was on the wall

I had dressed myself for leaving

Then never left at all

The kitchen kept its warmth

The clock kept moving through

I watched the minute pass me

And turn its back on you

It was not that I forgot

It was not that I did not care

Every proof that I was trying

Was sitting useless there

I could not make a reason

That would keep your heart from hurt

I had the shape of going

And never did the work

Shoes by the door

Like a promise on the floor

I had love enough to dress for it

Not enough to open more

Shoes by the door

Facing out into the rain

I was ready in the smallest ways

And missing where it came

The laces lost their circle

The evening lost its name

My coat slid from the chair back

Like it was tired of blame

There are rooms that keep your failure

In ordinary things

A pocket with the keys still there

A phone that never rings

I did not need a locked gate

Or a road I could not find

I only needed one step

And left that step behind

Shoes by the door

Still waiting after dark

You were somewhere I could reach

I was nowhere near the start

Shoes by the door

Small witnesses in pairs

I had love enough to face them

Not enough to take me there

Morning touched the hallway

With its pale and honest light

The shoes were still beside the door

Pointing toward that night