Last Call Truth

Say it sober
One-thirteen AM
Last call truth

Your number lit my cracked-up screen
I knew each digit through the blur
The jukebox leaned on one old song
But all I heard was your first word
I said, Still love you
I was wrong
You let the silence hold the room
Then asked, Will that still be true
When daylight finds you at noon?

Morning put my name back on it
No bottle left to take the blame

Last call truth in the neon glow
Last call truth
The bottle found my nerve, not what I know
Not what I know
At one-thirteen, I said, Still love you
Now I say it sober straight to you

Two weeks dry, I faced the window
Poured the rest down the sink
Set my coffee by the phone
And wrote before I let me think
Still love you
I was wrong
You don't owe me one reply
At noon I sent those words again
No neon there to hide behind

Daylight put my name back on it
No booth or bottle left to blame

Last call truth in the neon glow
Last call truth
The bottle found my nerve, not what I know
Not what I know
At one-thirteen, I said, Still love you
Now I say it sober straight to you

Sunday, ten, fluorescent light
Rain ran silver down the glass
You came in, your coat pulled tight
Set my old key by your cup
Said, Truth don't earn forgiveness
It only opens the door
If you mean to mend what you broke
Be true when no one's pouring

Last call truth in the neon glow
Last call truth
The bottle found my nerve, not what I know
Not what I know
At one-thirteen, I said, Still love you
Now I say it sober here with you

No promise
No kiss
Two coffees and work to do
Last call truth
First-light proof