The harbor clock

The harbor clock

forgot my name

A red bulb blinked above the frame

I host the midnight pirate band

From a booth beneath the customs land

I read tomorrow calm and clear

Then heard my voice inside my ear

It said at twelve,

unlock the door I checked the lock beside the floor The paper

listed every sound The chair,

the match, the footsteps round I laughed once,

dry and small

The receiver laughed back through the wall

Tune in,

turn low,

don't ask who's there

The news comes first,

then takes your chair

Read the line, obey the tone

Tomorrow calls from your own phone

I cut the wire,

I killed the lamp

The dead air wore a little stamp

A voice announced the weather's fine

Then gave my room a closing time

It named the cup beside my hand The rusted key,

the wedding band It said step back when you hear three Then

counted one, then two,

then me

Tune in,

turn low,

don't ask who's there

The news comes first,

then takes your chair

Read the line, obey the tone

Tomorrow calls from your own phone

No signal, no station,

no honest sky

Just one thin red eye asking why

Keep still,

keep smiling, keep facing the glass

The next

announcement says who won't pass

Tune in, turn low,

don't ask who's there

The news comes first,

then takes your chair

Read the line, obey the tone

Tomorrow calls from your own phone Tune in,

turn low

The room is listening Your name comes last The dial is glistening

Read the line, obey the tone

Tomorrow calls from your own phone

The harbor clock

has found its beat

The booth is warm,

the chair is neat

I'll read tomorrow

calm and clear

If you can still hear me

standing here

Goodnight, operator

Goodnight,

me