Seven Hours Ahead

The kitchen clock ticks on the wall

While you are eating afternoon lunch

I just woke up and poured my juice

And read your message in a bunch

You live seven hours ahead of me

Walking through a different time of day

But underneath the very same moon

We are never truly far away

You write about the heavy wind

That blew the papers down the hall

I write about the morning fog

That sits outside my wooden wall

You live seven hours ahead of me

Finishing your work and going home

While I am starting up my tasks

Knowing I am not alone

The clocks can swing from left to right

The sun can reach you long before

It does not change the simple truth

That sits inside my kitchen door

You live seven hours ahead of me

Getting ready for your nightly rest

While I am walking in the sun

Doing what I know is best

I set the time upon my watch

To match the town where you remain

I smile to know your day went well

Through every bit of sun and rain

I drink my tea while you wake up

I see the sunlight in your glass

The dark is settling on my street

I watch the evening shadows pass

I miss you most when the sun starts to rise

You are opening your eyes over there

I am winding down my day in the quiet

With your quiet voice still in the air

I leave my mug beside the sink

Your day is just about to start

We trade a quiet word or two

To bridge the miles that keep us part

I miss you most when the sun starts to rise

You are pouring out your morning tea

I am turning off the kitchen light

Knowing soon you will be back with me

It feels so strange to share the sun

When we are half a world away

But every hour that rolls on by

Is bringing back a better day

I miss you most when the sun starts to rise

You are walking out into the street

I am pulling up the heavy quilt

Counting down the days until we meet

Good morning to you far away

Goodnight from where I lay my head

I keep your warm spot in my heart

And dream of everything you said

Your voice drops out and cuts right through

A frozen screen upon my desk

I hear a click then silence comes

And leaves the sentence unexpressed

The signal fades but my heart stays steady

I hear your laugh through the static sound

No broken wire can change what we have

Or take away the light we found

I touch the glass and wait a bit

The little light begins to glow

You say my name and speak real slow

And say the things I already know

The signal fades but my heart stays steady

I see your face coming back in view

No weak connection miles across

Can lessen what I feel for you

We laugh at how the lines get crossed

And how the screen turns black and gray

We do not mind the little delay

When we have so much left to say

The signal fades but my heart stays steady

Your soft voice fills the quiet space

We build a bridge with simple words

And hold each other in this place

I hear you clear now through the line

I hold the small phone in my hand

You say goodnight and so do I

The calmest feeling in the land

I keep my keys right by the door

I leave the lamp on low and dim

I lay my pillow on the right

And let the quiet night pull in

I sleep on my side out of habit

Leaving room where you ought to be

The blanket stays folded on your end

Saving space till you return to me

I pick a book and read three lines

Then put it back upon the crate

I hear a train go down the track

It runs along so slow and late

I sleep on my side out of habit

Keeping half the mattress cool and still

I know that you are sleeping too

Far away beyond the eastern hill

The room is warm and full of peace

There is no doubt inside my mind

Just simple time we have to spend

Until the long road unwinds

I sleep on my side out of habit

Listening to the wind outside

Knowing that the miles will shrink

And there is nowhere left to hide

I pull the sheet up to my chin

And leave your pillow clean and neat

I close my eyes and feel at ease

Our simple story is complete

I saw a leaf upon the step

It caught the orange light just right

I took a snapshot with my thumb

To send into your morning light

It is nothing much to look at now

Just a sidewalk in the quiet rain

But I want to show you where I walk

Till I am by your side again

I see the little checkmark turn

You send a tiny heart right back

I put my hands inside my coat

And carry on along the track

It is nothing much to look at now

Just a bench beside an old gray tree

But every small thing in my day

Is something that you ought to see

We do not need big fancy news

To keep the feeling sharp and clear

A simple stone upon the street

Can bring you close and keep you near

It is nothing much to look at now

Just the pale clouds floating overhead

Yet it bridges every single mile

And says the things that go unsaid

I put the small phone in my coat

And walk along the brick pathway

I know you saw the little leaf

And that is all I need today

The autumn wind came in today

I pulled your coat down off the hook

It fits a little loose on me

Just like it does inside the book

I wear your jacket down the block

And keep my hands deep in the wool

The heavy collar blocks the cold

And makes my quiet spirit full

I find a receipt in the seam

From that small cafe by the bay

It brings a smile across my face

And warms the grayness of the day

I wear your jacket down the block

It smells of coffee and the rain

It reminds me that you are secure

And soon I will see you again

Some people say that distance hurts

But I just feel a gentle glow

It carries safety in the threads

More than anyone could know

I wear your jacket down the block

Walking steady down the concrete lane

No chilly gust can make me shake

While your warm memories remain

I zip it up against the dark

And walk right up the wooden stair

I feel your presence close to me

In every breath of evening air

I look out at the harbor lights

And see the ships go floating by

I have a simple thought tonight

Underneath the open sky

I am so lucky to miss someone like you

To have a heart that feels this deep

To hold a promise calm and true

That keeps me safe before I sleep

Not everyone has what we found

A steady rock when waters rise

I hear your quiet laughter sound

Behind my resting, closed-up eyes

I am so lucky to miss someone like you

To feel this longing clear and bright

It shows how good our story is

Through every hour of the night

The distance is a little test

That only proves what we both hold

A treasure wrapped in quiet cloth

More precious than a chest of gold

I am so lucky to miss someone like you

To know you belong right by my side

I carry gratitude inside

With nothing left for me to hide

I say a quiet thank you now

Before I turn the hallway light

Having your love inside my life

Makes every distance feel so light

A paper calendar on the door

Has red ink circles in a line

I take the pen and draw a mark

Upon the box for twenty-nine

Each cross brings me closer to the day

When you will step off of the train

The weeks are folding up so fast

Like dry grass after summer rain

Only twelve more squares to clear

Before I see you standing near

I leave the red marker right there

Without a single tiny fear

Each cross brings me closer to the day

When I can reach and take your hand

The time is moving steady now

Across this long and quiet land

We started with a hundred days

And watched them melt away like ice

Now every single night that falls

Feels extra warm and extra nice

Each cross brings me closer to the day

When we won't need a screen or line

Just you and me inside one room

And all our precious simple time

I put the cap back on the pen

And see how short the row has grown

Tomorrow brings another mark

To show I'll never be alone

I open up my morning app

To check the weather in your town

It says the sky is dark and wet

And water drops are falling down

It is raining on your side today

While I have sun upon my floor

I wish I brought my blue umbrella

To meet you at your office door

You write that you are staying dry

With warm tea sitting in your cup

I send a small joke in a text

To make your sweet face light right up

It is raining on your side today

I hear the thunder through the phone

It makes me want to wrap you tight

So you don't feel out there alone

Different skies above our heads

Different clouds in blue and gray

Yet every storm that passes through

Will slowly roll away today

It is raining on your side today

But soon the storm will clear the air

And I will hold you in the dry

Without a single heavy care

Take care and keep your boots on tight

Until the clouds all turn to white

I keep my thoughts right where you are

No matter if it's near or far

The mailman brought a box today

Wrapped in brown paper and some tape

I brought it to the kitchen stand

And opened up the square shape

A wool scarf stitched in the corner

With initials tiny, blue, and neat

You sent a piece of your warm home

To keep me cozy on the street

I wrap the soft wool round my neck

And feel the warmth go all through me

It smells of lavender and salt

From your small cottage by the sea

A wool scarf stitched in the corner

Made by your hands with so much care

It bridges every mile between

And leaves your sweetness in the air

You took the time to wind the yarn

And stitch each line so straight and true

I wear it proudly on my chest

And think of everything you do

A wool scarf stitched in the corner

To protect me from the winter chill

I feel your presence right right here

And know you always love me still

I brush the soft wool with my hand

And write a message to your phone

Thank you for this lovely gift

That makes this quiet house a home

I ride the bus across the town

And sit beside the window pane

I look out at the yellow lights

And watch the slow falling rain

I am saving this seat beside me

For the day you ride along with me

We will watch the city streets go by

As happy as two folks can be

The seat is empty for right now

My coat rests on the vinyl seat

I watch the people get on board

And step out on the wet pavement

I am saving this seat beside me

Knowing the journey won't be long

Before we share this simple route

And sing our favorite little song

Every trip I take alone

Is just practice for the time

When you will lean against my arm

And hold your gentle hand in mine

I am saving this seat beside me

Underneath the streetlight glow

I smile to think of how you look

In every place we used to go

The bus pulls up to my main stop

I step off on the quiet street

I keep the seat safe in my heart

Until the moment that we meet

I look at the small wooden ring

That hangs right next to my front door

It was a gift from our first trip

When we walked on the sandy shore

I am still so glad that you are mine

Even with miles across the sea

Having your sweet love in my life

Is the best thing that could ever be

Some people complain of the time

And count the hard hours all day long

But I just feel a deep bright light

That keeps my spirit warm and strong

I am still so glad that you are mine

It makes the quiet night feel good

Knowing that we belong as one

Just like I always knew we would

Distance is just a tiny bump

Along a long and beautiful road

It makes our reunion feel so sweet

And lightens every heavy load

I am still so glad that you are mine

I say it with a peaceful grin

I open up the wooden door

And let the quiet evening in

I hold the wooden ring a second

And turn the key inside the lock

Glad for your love that stays right here

As steady as a giant rock

I lay my suitcase on the rug

And open up the zipper wide

I fold three shirts and pack them neat

And slip my leather shoes inside

I am packing my bag tonight

Because tomorrow I will fly

Leaving the long wait far behind

Underneath the morning sky

I put my toothbrush in the pouch

And check my passport on the shelf

I haven't felt this light and free

Since I was sitting by myself

I am packing my bag tonight

Counting down the final hours

Soon I will walk into your town

And buy a bundle of yellow flowers

No more screens or dropped calls now

No more waiting by the phone

Everything I need is packed

To bring me right to your home

I am packing my bag tonight

Zipping up the dark brown case

Ready to travel through the night

And see your sweet and smiling face

I set the bag beside the door

And turn the hall light down to low

I get three hours of good sleep

Before it is time for me to go

I hold the paper in my hand

It shows the gate and row nineteen

I take my place inside the line

Beside the quiet scanning screen

My boarding pass is safe and saved

I walk down through the narrow line

Each step I take upon this plane

Is bringing your hand into mine

I put my coat in the top bin

And take my seat right by the wing

I hear the engines start to hum

And feel the joy that it will bring

My boarding pass is safe and saved

The wheels lift off the concrete floor

I watch the city shrink away

Heading straight for your front door

The clouds turn pink outside my glass

The world below is calm and still

I know that when the sun comes up

I will be over your green hill

My boarding pass is safe and saved

I lean my head back on the seat

Everything is dropping off

Until the moment that we meet

I close my eyes and feel the hum

As we sail through the ocean sky

Knowing that when we touch down

There will be no more saying goodbye

The plane touched down upon the strip

I grab my small bag from the rack

I walk out through the long glass hall

With no desire to turn on back

I am walking fast to reach gate four

Where the arrivals hall begins

My heart is beating soft and light

As a brand new morning starts in

I see the signs above my head

Pointing the way to baggage claim

I hear the announcements in the air

And whisper out your sweet name

I am walking fast to reach gate four

The glass wall lets the sunlight through

Every step along this floor

Is bringing me right home to you

Five long months have come and gone

Like water under a long bridge

Now all that stands between us two

Is walking down this final ridge

I am walking fast to reach gate four

I see the crowd of people stand

Waiting for the folks they love

In this warm and welcoming land

I adjust my strap upon my coat

And keep my eyes focused ahead

I feel the quiet joy inside

Just like the words you always said

The glass doors open wide and smooth

I step into the quiet hall

I see the bright yellow sun shine in

Upon the tile and whitewashed wall

I walk through the sliding door

And see you standing in the light

The long distance falls away

And everything is calm and right

You wear your simple navy sweater

And hold two cups of warm black tea

You smile real quiet across the space

And take three little steps to me

I walk through the sliding door

No words are needed in this place

I set my heavy suitcase down

And hold you in a gentle space

No more time zones in the dark

No bad connections on the phone

Just your warm hand inside my palm

To show that we are finally home

I walk through the sliding door

And breathe the morning air so sweet

All the waiting in the world

Is finished when our fingers meet

We turn together toward the street

And step out in the morning sun

Our quiet journey is complete

And our simple life has just begun