Turn the Gears Back

Verse

The porch light’s flickering, a rhythm out of time

Just like that final argument, that bitter, jagged line

She slammed the door and took the air right out the room

Left me pacing through the silence of this empty, hollow tomb.

I had fire in my chest, a heavy, burning stone

Mad at how it ended, mad I’m sitting here alone

But I thought I had a tether, thought I had a place to go

Till the moving truck was idling in the early morning snow.

Chorus

And I’d give anything to find the gears and turn them back

To stop the fading color before the screen went black

I’d hold the door for her, I’d listen to the words he said

Instead of letting all this static fill my weary head.

Oh, I’m reaching for a dial that I know I’ll never find

Just to cherish what I wasted in the corners of my mind

Back when Chris was on the sofa and she was by my side

Before the distance grew too long and the world became too wide.

Verse

Now Chris, you were the compass, the one I looked to most

But you’re a thousand miles away now, like a living, breathing ghost

No bars on the phone, no signal through the pines

Just a sudden wall of silence crossing over state lines.

I was so wrapped up in anger, so drowned in my own pride

That I didn't see the exit or the shifting of the tide

Now the two people who knew me are gone without a trace

And I’m staring at the shadows of a long-forgotten face.

Chorus

And I’d give anything to find the gears and turn them back

To stop the fading color before the screen went black

I’d hold the door for her, I’d listen to the words he said

Instead of letting all this static fill my weary head.

Oh, I’m reaching for a dial that I know I’ll never find

Just to cherish what I wasted in the corners of my mind

Back when Chris was on the sofa and she was by my side

Before the distance grew too long and the world became too wide.

Bridge

The ink is pooling on the page, the pen is feeling leaden

Trying to find the "sorrys" before the heart is deaden

To the girl I shouted over—I’m sorry for the noise

I was breaking all the glass just to save my broken toys.

And Chris, if you can hear this, wherever you might be

I’m sorry I was selfish when you were there for me.

To everyone I pushed away, to everyone I hurt

I’m digging for the flowers, but I’m only finding dirt.

Outro

Just a note left on the table...

Just a wish I wasn't able...

To say it while you were here.