My Friends

"He's a quiet man," that's all she said And he's a thoughtful man It's just he likes to keep his thoughts up in his head And we finally meet, and she tries to draw him out a bit She says "He's writing something Hey now, why don't you talk about it?" And he doesn't make a sound He's just staring at his coffee And I know there's all this beauty And this greatness she'll defend But I think it's in my friend I have a friend in a bright and distant town She's found a common balance Where you do your work, and you do your love And they pay you, and praise your many talents Well I'm passing through, and we know we won't sleep She laughs, puts up the tea She says "You know I think you remember every part of me." And the water starts to boil And if I had a camera Showing all the light we give And showing where the light extends I'd give it to my friends Sometimes I see myself fine, sometimes I need a witness And I like the whole truth But there are nights I only need forgiveness Sometimes they say "I don't know who you are But let me walk with you some" And I say "I am alone, that's all You can't save me from all the wrong I've done." But they're waiting just the same With their flashlights and their semaphores And I'll act like I have faith and like that faith never ends But I really just have friends