Betty's Diner 
    Miranda works the late night counter
    in a joint called Betty’s Diner
    chrome and checkered tablecloths
    one steamy windowpane
    she got the job that shaky fall
    and after hours she’ll write till dawn
    with a nod and smile she serves them all

    Chorus
    here we are all in one place
    the wants and wounds of the human race
    despair and hope sit face to face
    when you come in from the cold
    let her fill your cup with something kind
    eggs and toast like bread and wine
    she’s heard it all so she don’t mind

    Arthur lets his Earl Grey steep
    since April it’s been hard to sleep
    you know they tried most everything
    yet it took her in the end
    Kevin tests new saxophones
    but swears he’s leaving quality control
    for the Chicago scene, or New Orleans
    where they still play righteous horns

    Chorus

    Jack studies here after work
    to get past high school he’s the first
    and his large hands seem just as comfortable
    with a hammer or a pen
    Emma leaned and kissed his cheek
    and when she did his knees got weak
    Miranda smiles at Em and winks

    Chorus

    Bridge
    you never know who’ll be your witness
    you never know who grants forgiveness
    look to heaven or sit with us

    Deidra bites her lip and frowns
    she works the Stop and Go downtown
    she’s pretty good at the crossword page
    she paints her eyes blue black
    Tristan comes along sometimes
    small for his age and barely five
    but she loves him like a mamma lion

    Veda used to drink a lot
    almost lost it all before she stopped
    comes in at night with her friend Mike
    who runs the crisis line
    Michael toured Saigon and back
    hair the color of smoke and ash
    their heads are bowed and their hands are clasped
    one more storm has passed 

                          Carrie Newcomer (lyric)