The Old Alley Sky

We took the longer road
After class, after dark

One watched the dust
The other looked for stars

Nose up to the sky
Chin leading the night

Almost hit a bike
Pulled back just in time

Just wanted to see some stars
Not here, through the city glare

Then the dark split wide
The whole sky arrived

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

No stars here
That’s what we believed

Till the whole sky opened
Above that narrow alley

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

If growing up is leaving
Okay to be small tonight

A new room, still unpacked
Wind scraping at the glass

Home was just a freeway bus ride
But not tonight

Other beds were neatly made
But no one stayed behind

Suitcases breathing in the corner
You left the light ajar

She flew to New York
You stayed with the wind

Two little almost-twins
Trying different names

Stars outside the window
In the half-empty dark

The alley sky opened
Across your little room

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

No stars here
That’s what we believed

Till the whole sky opened
Above that narrow alley

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

If growing up is leaving
Okay to be small tonight

I have my mirror
You have yours in New York

Two almost-twin stories
Trying not to fall apart

No need to answer
No need to explain

Just look up once
If you hear your name

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

No stars here
That’s what we believed

Now you see the whole sky
Every time you raise your head

But we miss you at home
And want to hold you tonight

If growing up is leaving
Okay to be small tonight

Just wanted to see some stars
Not here, through the city glare

Then the dark split wide
The whole sky arrived

Some songs get older
Some still know your name

Okay to be small tonight
Let us be small tonight