Gold Watch, Empty Kitchen

The watch was loudest

I came home with the skyline on my cuff
Keys hit the bowl with a rich man's sound
One glass by the sink, one chair pushed in
And your old key wasn't around
Your coffee ring still marks the wood
A little brown moon I never cleaned
I used to rush past ordinary love
Now it's all I need

The second hand kept saying your name
Ticking where your laugh had been
Every hour I wore like proof
Came back empty in the end

Gold watch, empty kitchen
They called it victory
I bought the time but missed the days
And the watch was loudest (loudest)

At the gala they stood when I walked in
Black suit, white flash, champagne bright
They shook my hand and praised the climb
While you ate dinner alone that night
There's a calendar still on the fridge
Red circles round the school plays
Anniversaries, dentist calls
Small holy things I gave away

The microwave clock said two-thirteen
The kitchen held its breath
I had speeches for a thousand rooms
And no words for what I left

Gold watch, empty kitchen
They called it victory
I bought the time but missed the days
And the watch was loudest (loudest)

I thought providing was the same as staying
Thought a full account meant a full house
But love was there in Tuesday dishes
In soup gone cold while you waited up
If I could spend one shining hour back
I would spend it standing still (standing still)

Gold watch, empty kitchen
They called it victory
I bought the time but missed the days
And the watch was loudest (loudest)
Louder than the crowd
Louder than my name

I set the gold watch on the table
Beside your coffee ring