PAYCHECK GONE

Paycheck gone by Friday noon
Rent took half, truck took two
Still got friends and a tank half-full
Paycheck gone — but the night's brand-new

Deposit hit at six-oh-one
By seven-thirty, the damage was done
Landlord, lights and the old phone bill
Then the check-engine light climbed another hill
Bought work gloves and a bag of ice
Generic coffee at the regular price
Looked at the balance, laughed out loud
Can't take zero from a broke man now
Ray had charcoal, June had chairs
I brought one speaker with a buzz upstairs
No fancy bottle, no downtown line
Just twelve good people and borrowed time

Money runs fast
But the weekend runs too
If the bills took mine
They ain't taking you

Paycheck gone by Friday noon
Rent took half, truck took two
Still got friends and a tank half-full
Paycheck gone — but the night's brand-new

Gone, gone — still here
Gone, gone — good cheer
Empty pocket, full moon
Paycheck gone by Friday noon

Then little Ava woke up burning hot
Party went quiet in the gravel lot
June checked her wallet, came up short
We put every last five on the tailgate board
Medicine bought at the twenty-four-hour place
Ava fell asleep with a smile on her face
That was the richest the whole night got
Twelve nearly empty pockets gave everything they had
By sunrise nobody cared who paid
Or whose name belonged on the help we made
Money disappeared, but it left one clue:
What you spend on love keeps coming back through

We thought we were broke.
Then somebody needed us.
And every empty pocket
found something to give.

Paycheck gone by Friday noon
Rent took half, life took two
Still got love and a tank half-full
Money runs out — but we don't have to

Count us in.