first light (excerpt)

the crunch of devastation echoes at first light

coils of tension trap air from getting in

reaching over, hand pounding down

snooze

then in caverns of thick planks and the drumbeat of steam

patron feet stomping intermittently

i wonder how it is possible

tuesday already so tired

morning sun, rescue me

give weight to my best intentions

i’m holding out for your company but i am blind to your direction

somewhere i can dissolve without knowing you need me

i want to hang low, i want to fizzle

no headache

no heartache

just quiet


“First Light” is a song originally composed in 2003, which has made its way onto This Is The Truth, a project that chronologically tracks a twenty year period. the piece has morphed over the years from its original droning, lonely piano-in-an-otherwise-vacant-room into something still apprehensive, but more confident and intentionally rhythmic; perhaps with time the weight of that depression has lessened and taken on a friendlier, less oppressive promise.

the steam and patron feet are a reference to my standard refuge - a coffeeshop, with a spiral bound notebook, and a pen.

Amy Cray