On The Dark Side (John Cafferty Cover)

“Rain again,” you said, with your hood half-wrung
Tiima stomped puddles and shouted, “I won!”
Mam muttered “cachu hwch,” still under her breath
Laughing while dodging the soggy steps

The café was steamed like a dragon in sleep
The bell on the door gave a chirp and a beep
We peeled off our layers, wet sleeves and all
Sat by the radiator, warm, small, and tall

Proudly proclaiming, “This is now my café!”
You bowed with a grin, “Aye, Lead the way.”
And Mam just smiled, that cardigan queen
Her eyes full of stories twinkle and beam

“Can I have a whole cake?” Tiima says with glee
“Ask in Swedish,” and then we'll see
“Tack sa... muggakaka!” she beamed with pride
“Close enough,” you said, with a wink on the side

I asked for teisen, you got bara brith
Mam went no sugar — a long-standing myth
“You’ve got a type,” I said. “It’s tea and control.”
“It’s not my fault consistency’s soul.”

Tiima fed crumbs to the café dog’s feet
Named it Owain and offered her a seat
“He can live here now,” she declared with glee
“Under the table, and snack tax is free.”

“Aye, our second date was here,” Mam said, half-turned
“He panicked and left with his brownie unearned.”
“The pressure was high!” I said with a shrug
“You ordered in Welsh. I just wanted a hug.”

The light hit your lashes, the spoon caught the steam
Tiima drew hearts on her napkin with cream
Her list of favourites, in jam and in curls:

This tea
Mam’s voice
Toasty squirrels

I reached for your hand and you didn’t pull
Just tapped once slow, like a thought made full
Mam smiled soft, stirred her tea in threes —
“Dw i’n hoffi hyn.” Just fika, just peace

The chairs scraped slow as the sky went grey
The café closed gently, like folding the day
Mam wrapped the scarf with a twist and a tuck
“To trap the mischief,” she said with luck

We paid with coins and a thank you grin
Took one last breath, and then stepped in.
In to the outside, foggy and chill
Sleeping the giant, blessed and still, 
cozy and waiting under the hill

The rain had quit, but the world stayed hushed
“Same time next storm?” I asked, slightly flushed
You smiled, and Mam just hummed in key —
A sweet little chord: our fika for three

Fika for Three

Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas

Come And Go Blues (Live At Watkins Glen, New York, July 28, 1973)

Before This World

Stretch Of The Highway

Nothing but Number 1 Love Songs

You Were on My Mind (Rerecorded)

There Goes Angela (Dream Away)

There Goes Angela (Dream Away) (Home Recording)

Stretch Of The Highway

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