midnight again

midnight again, the show’s at an end

a quiet crowd’s in tonight

the teens hold their place, to sneak an embrace

in the credit roll’s gentle light

how big the dreams that play on the screen

where villains and heroes fight

how small the world, how old and absurd

that waits on the street outside

and now the dance of darkening the square

where the billboard flickers and dies

and the tail lights peel off to here and there

till only your cigarette shines

you turn up your coat, alone in the cold

another day’s hand’s been played

if only your cards were diamonds or hearts

if only you held an ace

and now your shoes tap drily on the street

as you walk through the empty town

as if instead of living every beat

you’re simply counting them down

home at your door, defeated once more

resolving to start anew

you sleep and you dream a glorious scheme

a new world dawns for you

midnight again, midnight my friend

the ghosts of the years descend

too late to pretend, when the end

is waiting, it’s midnight again

written by tom yates 12 january 2016