Where the Footbridge Ends

[Verse 1] A folding stage beside the fountain Paper lanterns over the square He checks the names on a paper program Then steps into the evening air A woman in a green wool sweater A student with a borrowed pen A courier still wearing one glove All lean closer like old friends [Pre-Chorus] He says, “a word is only waiting Till somebody gives it breath” And suddenly the scattered faces Find a little more than they expected [Chorus] Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends They carry a spark from stranger to friend One voice rises, and the whole night starts Finding a common rhythm in separate hearts Say it plain, say it true, let the silence begin Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends [Verse 2] He reads about a boy named mateo Who maps the moon with sidewalk chalk About a nurse on the late train home Who hears the sea in the way doors talk A man near the speakers stops scrolling A child repeats the final rhyme The poet leaves room between each sentence For every listener to add their line [Pre-Chorus] He says, “a story changes owners The moment it is heard” And the square becomes a little wider With every unguarded word [Chorus] Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends They carry a spark from stranger to friend One voice rises, and the whole night starts Finding a common rhythm in separate hearts Say it plain, say it true, let the silence begin Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends [Bridge] No one came with matching answers No one knew the lines by heart But a phrase about a borrowed future Gave the quiet ones a place to start The saxophone traces a golden question The crowd replies without a plan For three bright minutes under paper lanterns Every stranger understands [Final chorus] Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends They carry a spark from stranger to friend One voice rises, and the whole night starts Finding a common rhythm in separate hearts Say it plain, say it true, let the silence begin Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends Words make a bridge where the footbridge ends And the night walks home in everyone’s voice [Outro] He folds the page, but the words stay on Passing from mouth to mouth till dawn