I left a message on your answering machine
I said my lyrics need some chords
You showed up at my door with a guitar and
An apple core in your hand
You say you work better when you’re alone
And could you have my room all to yourself
Oh so casual… you toss your coat on…
Top of my old guitar stand
I say, “I’m going to get coffee ‘round the corner,”
but instead I sit out on the steps
Listen to you through the crack underneath the door
Nursing my last cigarette

But my lighter’s out so instead I use a match
And for a moment I am Audrey Hepburn
Cool, and detached
Aloof, watching you from the outside
Like I’m on a movie set

My bedroom is the setting of this next scene
I’ve never been much good at acting
The camera zooms in tightly
As you turn around and look right at me

I got your message and I knew I had some chords
So I showed up at your door
Nervously I chomped on my apple slices
I said it would be nice if
I could have the room all to myself
I felt uncomfortable in my coat
So I try to drop it to the floor
But, it fell on your guitar stand’s loop
You say you’re going out for coffee
But I can see you sitting out on the front stoop
My music wafts out of the room
It’s like cigarette smoke to you

My notes get in your eyes and your smoke wraps around my neck
And for a moment I am Gregory Peck
Trying to perfect
Trying to be your hero
Like I’m on a movie set

Your bedroom is the setting of our next scene
It takes place while the sun is setting
A tight shot of fingers gripping the strings
Just to keep them from twitching

So, I walk back in the room
I say, “I’ve got to run”
“Leaving so soon?”
“Well, my work here is all done”
I wish that you would say something more
So, I shuffle toward the door
And my shuffling becomes an awkward little dance
I look deep into your eyes
Now’s my only chance
And I kissed you
And you kissed me
And you said
“You smell exactly like I remember.
Exactly like I remember. I remember I remember”

My bedroom is the setting of our last scene
Music plays while the credits are rolling
The camera pans out to the sea
All I can think is, wasn’t that
Lovely.