No Promises We Can't Carry

Velvet Morning
Velvet Morning

Hotel breakfast after fighting
Rhodes low from the lobby bar
You set a little velvet pouch
Beside the toast and coffee jar
I think ring, then hate myself
For making symbols do the work
You open it and slide one old brass key
Across the table without a word

Promises get heavy
When they stand in for truth

Velvet Morning, no promises we can't carry
Velvet Morning, let the honest thing be scary
You gave me back the key before asking for the door
Velvet Morning, I trust that more

You say you kept it through the breakup
Because returning it felt final
Now you give it back before asking
If we can try something less fragile
No moving in, no forever
No pretending nothing went wrong
Just breakfast and a new boundary
Strong enough to build upon

I thought commitment looked like keeping
Every symbol close at hand
You gave me back the key before asking for the door
That velvet jewelry pouch told the story

Velvet Morning, coffee going cold
Velvet Morning, no big future sold
You gave me back the key before asking for the door
Velvet Morning, I want to know you more

Velvet Morning