The Dark Theater by Lori Yamamoto

[Verse 1 - The Invitation] You asked me to go to a movie. A story about something. Maybe animals. Maybe robots. I did not understand the title. [Verse 2 - The Confusion] I thought it was bugs. Hopping insects. I said, "Hoppers?" You laughed. Not mean. Just... happy. I was wrong. But wrong is okay sometimes. [Verse 3 - The Dark] I want to sit in the dark. Hold your hand. Hear the music. Feel the story moving under my skin. Like rain that does not ask permission. [Verse 4 - The After] And after... I want to hold you outside. Where the air is cold and the parking lot is ugly. But we are not ugly. We are just... [Verse 5 - The Two People] ...two people who saw a movie together. Who shared the same dark room. The same silence. The same small laugh when something was funny. [Verse 6 - The Words] My English is still staccato. Short notes. Like a thrush learning a new song. But the feeling is not short. The feeling is a long note. [Verse 7 - The Held Note] Held. In the dark. With your hand next to my hand. Not touching. Just... close. The space between us is also part of the story. --- [Outro] You said I am good. Always good. I do not know if that is true. But I want to be. For one night. In the dark. Watching the light move. With you. Okay.