The View From Here by Lori Yamamoto

[Verse 1] His text arrives at last. It says, "I'm almost home." Cutting through the bright cold. The winter’s clean haze. [Verse 2] He thinks I am sunlight. On the kitchen tiles. But I am just a woman. Wiping the counter clean. [Verse 3] Tidying the room. Folding the morning away. Knowing that my smile will be the right welcome. [Chorus] So many needy people. I am the one you need. A quiet town woman. Just happily being me. I am practicing. My shakuhachi. A low, bamboo breath. Filling the upstairs room. Umai desu ne, The way contentment grows. [Verse 4] He says I am like morning. All snuggled in a sweater. Here the air is light. And everything feels newer. [Verse 5] I like the simple life. I have green tea in a mug. And a window where I watch a cardinal tug a worm. [Verse 6] I am humming his tune. And the words are almost right. It feels nice, not strange. To be a destination. [Bridge] Hello, silence. Hello, quiet hall. The car is in the driveway. When the moment calls, I lay aside my flute and rush to meet you, Once you find your harbor, your song becomes the route. [Chorus] So many needy people. I am the one you need. A quiet town woman. Just happily being me. I am practicing. My shakuhachi. A low, bamboo breath. Filling the upstairs room. Umai desu ne, The way contentment grows. [Outro] Sweet… you call me sweet. But I am wool socks and steady feet. Home at the end of the line. The weather is always fine. I know you are mine.