Extraordinary Dinner Party
Morning after snow storm, stand in the silence
Almost feel reborn all alone in the street
It's a certain sort of stillness
when the quiet surrounds you
The only sound you shovel on concrete.
I remember those piles from the snow plows
Always seemed much bigger back when I was a kid.
Pushed all the snow to the end of the driveway
I was the only person up in the neighborhood
Morning after snowstorm,
I turned the ignition and I started my car morning after snowstorm
I scraped off my windshields with the edge of a credit card
I remember that drive into work.
Still can hear the voice coming over the radio
Listen to our experts give the best tips
For the next time you entertain dinner guests.
I thought of the day, in a tie in the kitchen
I sat and I watched you put make-up on.
Thought of the day in the basement when I played house
I felt ashamed that I stayed in my head in the same place for so long
Because I was afraid to change
But it's not an excuse to stay!
Morning after snowstorm
I climbed up on the snowbank and I stared at the neighborhood
Morning after snowstorm
I think I finally understood what they meant when they said
There's a calm after the storm.
Saw my grandpa at his workbench building grandma's bookshelf
Watched a woman walk her trash out to the street.
Father alone of the highway
I heard the salt trucks and neighbors off to work
Saw my mother, saw how history loops around all of these moments,
And then I saw you!
In a dress there, with your eyes open wide to put make-up on
Thought of the day in the basement that I played house
And I felt ashamed
I'd ignored all the hands
that extended before and around me
Because I was afraid to change,
But that's not an excuse to stay
It's not an excuse!