Still Here

(Slow Soul Blues • Late-Night Contemporary Blues)

[INTRO — sparse electric guitar, intimate room tone, unhurried]

[VERSE 1 — low, weary, restrained]
I woke up reaching for you,
But your side of the bed was cold.
I woke up reaching for you, baby,
But your side of the bed was cold.

Morning came through the curtains,
And I had nobody left to hold.
I called your name down the hallway,
Like maybe you'd answer me.

Your slippers were there by the doorway,
Your book where it used to be.
Everything was where you left it—
Everything... except you and me.

[CHORUS — deeper ache, never belted]
I thought we had more time, baby,
Lord, I thought we had more time.
One more morning at the table,
One more evening saying, "I'm fine."

I spent tomorrow like a rich man
Who thought he'd never lose a dime.
Oh, I thought we had forever—
I thought we had more time.

[VERSE 2 — intimate storytelling]
I went downstairs to make coffee,
Put two cups out like before.
Poured yours halfway without thinking,
Then I couldn't pour anymore.

Funny how an empty coffee cup
Can bring a strong man to the floor.
There were words I should've listened to,
Little things I should've heard.

Times you wanted me beside you,
And I answered with half a word.
Now I'd give every tomorrow
Just to hear you talk...
       even nonsense.

[CHORUS — aching, slightly fuller]
I thought we had more time, baby,
Lord, I thought we had more time.
More Sunday mornings wasted,
More little hills we had to climb.

I kept saving love for later
Like later was somehow mine.
Oh, I thought we had forever—
I thought we had more time.

[BLUES BREAK — expressive electric guitar, slow bends, plenty of space]

[BRIDGE — nearly spoken at first]
By midnight I was back there,
Sitting on my side of the bed.
Talking to an empty pillow,
Saying things I should've said.

I closed my eyes and reached for you,
Like I'd done a thousand nights...
[brief silence]
And somebody took my hand.

[INSTRUMENTAL PAUSE — guitar holds back]

[VERSE 3 — very quiet, disbelieving]
I opened my eyes slowly.
Didn't trust what I could see.
There you were beneath the covers,
Warm and breathing next to me.

I watched your shoulders rising,
I was scared to make a sound.
I'd lost you once that very night—
Lord, don't let me lose you now.

Then you opened up your eyes
And whispered, "Baby, what's wrong?"
I said, "Nothing...
Just stay here a little long."

[FINAL CHORUS — warmer, relieved, but remain blues]
I thought we had more time, baby,
Now I know that time ain't mine.
I don't need forever promised,
I just need this morning light.

Let the clock keep doing what it does,
Let tomorrow wait outside.
You're still here beside me, baby—
And tonight, that's all I want.

[OUTRO — intimate guitar and harmonica, spacious]
So I'll pour your coffee slowly.
I'll hear the stories that I've heard.
When you reach across that table,
I'll look up at every word.

I don't know how long we're given.
Maybe nobody ever knew.
But I dreamed I woke without you...
[small pause]
Then I woke again—
     with you.

[long guitar response]
Some men don't get a second morning.

[long pause]
Somehow...
I got two.

[OUTRO — lonely harmonica answer, warm guitar, slow fade]
(Outro should become sparse again. Give “Then I woke again(—with you” and especially “Some men don’t get a second morning / Somehow... I got two” generous space. End with a soft harmonica answer and unresolved, warm blues guitar fade.)