Met my old lover in a grocery store

The snow was falling Christmas Eve

Stole behind her in the frozen foods

and I touched her on the sleeve

She didn't recognize the face at first

but then her eyes flew open wide

Tried to hug me and she spilled her purse

and we laughed until we cried



Took her groceries to the checkout stand

The food was totaled up and bagged

stood there lost in our embarrassment

as the conversation dragged

Went to have ourselves a drink or two

but couldn't find an open bar

Bought a six-pack at the liquor store

and we drank it in the car





We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now

Tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how





She said she'd married her an architect

Kept her warm and safe and dry

She said she'd like to say she loved the man

but she didn't want to lie

I said the years had been a friend to her

and that her eyes were still as blue

But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude

She said she saw me in the record store

and that I must be doing well

I said the audience was heavenly

but the traveling was hell





We drank a toast to innocence we drank a toast to time

We're living in our eloquence, another old lang syne



The beers were empty and our tongues grew tired

and running out of things to say

She gave a kiss to me as I got out

and I watched her drive away

Just for a moment I was back in school

And felt that old familiar pain

And as I turned to make my way back home

the snow turned into rain