Late Nights

Laptop light on my cheek like a streetlamp

Keys tap-tap, little drumrolls in a heat map

Friends outside, laughter cutting through the haze

I'm half in the grind, half in a neon daze

Cold ramen, warm bassline, same religion

Elevator dings-another late decision

Late nights turn my stress into chrome

I don't run from it, I make it feel like home

If the sun shows up, cool-let it find me

I'm still building something only night can see

Taxi glass got my face doing double exposure

Playlist loops like a promise getting closer

I write bars in the margins of a to-do list

Cross out "sleep," underline "don't lose this"

Roof air sharp, lungs full of downtown

Every block got a beat when you slow down

Sometimes I'm tired in a glamorous way

Sometimes it's just tired, no shine to save

But I learned the night holds quiet teachers

And my doubts are just loud little creatures

Convenience store coffee, bitter but honest

Streetlight halos making strangers look modest

A small win lands soft like a snare ghost note

I don't need a crowd, I just need the float

Tomorrow can judge me, I'm busy tonight

Turning "not yet" into "alright"

Late nights turn my stress into chrome

I don't run from it, I make it feel like home

If the sun shows up, cool-let it find me

I'm still building something only night can see

3AM peace.

Vinyl crackle, Rhodes sigh.