Ballast

There's ink beneath a dotted line
A set of keys that's hers and mine
The hallway light stays on till late
For someone worth the longer wait

I can hold a little more
That's what shoulders are for

The shelf is full of things I meant
The hours spoken for and spent
I boxed the songs I used to play
Behind the things I do today

I can hold a little more
That's what shoulders are for
The keys, the name, the quiet floor
I stopped counting long before

When did the weight become the way
I measure out an honest day
I set it down to catch my breath
And nothing fell, and nothing left

I can hold a little more
That's what shoulders are for
The keys, the name, the quiet floor
I stopped counting long before
And somewhere at the bottom of the pile
A smaller me I haven't held a while

I can hold a little more
I can hold a little more