One Second At The Gate

[Intro]

Tap — click —

Cool air from the tunnel mouth

[Verse 1]

Underground lamp on brushed metal

Turnstile arm waiting in the lane

Card tap clicks against my knuckle

Backpack strap I tighten again

Tile floor throws my steps back at me

One second pause before it yields

Crowd pushes like a clock that’s angry

I hold my breath inside the field

[Pre-Chorus]

Coffee lid sealed in the side pocket

Papers flat — don’t let them tip

I came here racing every morning

Today I choose a different grip

[Chorus]

One second at the gate

Go through on my beat

Arm yields, I don’t race

I keep my own two feet

One second at the gate

Clear calm in the heat

Pass clean, keep my pace

My timing is what I keep

[Verse 2]

Past the arm — platform hum rising

Train doors blink a warning red

I let that one leave without me

Walk the length with slower tread

Someone’s earbuds leak a chorus

My reflection in the glass looks new

Same commute, different pocket tempo

Card still warm from the pass-through

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Coffee safe, strap still steady

No badge for getting there first

The gate already did its duty

I just stopped treating time like thirst

[Chorus 2]

One second at the gate

Go through on my beat

Arm yields, I don’t race

I keep my own two feet

One second at the gate

Clear calm in the heat

Pass clean, keep my pace

My timing is what I keep

[Bridge]

The arm swings, then rests at my hip-line

I watch the next card flash and go

I loosen the strap one quiet notch

And catch the later train’s slow glow

[Final Chorus]

One second at the gate

Go through on my beat

Arm yields, I don’t race

I keep my own two feet

One second — and I stay

On the pace that feels like me

Past the arm, into the day

Still early enough, just free

[Outro]

Tap — click —

One second… then yield