2am at 10:40.

Whenever I heard "Breathe (2 AM)" by Anna Nalick, I thought of two things.

The first is closing at Second Cup. The cafe would be empty and we'd be sweeping the floor, wiping the counters, clanging syrup pumps around in the sink. That year, the satellite radio liked this song. So we'd sing along, both of us, not paying attention to the other person in the echo-y cafe. And I'd sanitize the coffee pots and flush out the espresso machine and think about how pretty her voice is and how personal the lyrics are.

The second is an episode of my favourite television show where a bomb explodes and innocent people die, and the main character gets thrown back onto the ground by hot, moving air, glass, concrete and the mist of blood and human flesh. This song plays while her two best friends help her into the shower and wash her hair for her. She is stunned and in shock, and the episode was just so moving, and the song was absolutely perfect for it.

Now there is a third. It will now also remind me of driving home just after sunset from the barn. The dust from the gravel road flying behind my car, creating a cloud for me to disappear into. Then, the highway, flanked by farmer's fields, and my window rolled down all the way. Getting the distinct feeling that my life is being lived right now and wanting to make sure it's me who's living it.

"Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable. And life's like an hourglass glued to the table. No one can find the rewind button."

I'm going to learn this song on my guitar and sing it with intention.


2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites. You're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track,
we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track,
we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand
And breathe, just breathe
Whoa breathe, just breathe
Oh, breathe, just breathe
Oh breathe, just breathe.