First Apartment Goodbye

Two boxes by the staircase Dad says,

check the oil again

Mom folds one more towel

Like it might keep out the rain

I laugh and say I'm ready

With my keys inside my hand

But the porch looks like a harbor

And I'm sailing from the land

The room I rent is quiet When the moving van is gone

I stack my plates in silence Then I call and act so

strong (ahhhh)

I tell them I'm fine

That the ceiling feels high

That the little stove warms up the place

But I miss Sunday morning And the sound of their voices Filling

up the kitchen like grace Oh,

I'm learning to stand

With my heart in my hands

But home is a song I can't replace (ooh)

My bed sits by the window

There's a train beyond the wall

I burn the toast at breakfast

And I sweep the crumbs down small

A photo on the counter Catches me before I leave

I turn it face-up slowly

So it doesn't watch me grieve

I tell them I'm fine

That the ceiling feels high

That the little stove warms up the place

But I miss Sunday morning And

the sound of their voices Filling up the kitchen like grace Oh,

I'm learning to stand

With my heart in my hands

But home is a song I can't replace (oh)

One night I almost dialed them

Just to hear the house awake

Then I set the phone down gently

For the man I hoped I'd make

I know love can travel

Through a locked apartment door

I am not less their son

Just because I need more I tell them I'm fine

But tonight I'll be honest

This little room still learns my name

I miss Sunday morning And the sound of their voices But I

carry that love like a flame

Oh, I'm learning to stand

With my heart in my hands And home

is a song I

can take

(ooh, ahhhh) I leave the porch light burning In the window

of my mind