Spoke by Spoke

I hit the curb too hard, heard the front wheel say goodbye Delivery bag still warm, little savings running dry The shop was nearly closing, old mechanic checked the bend Said cash is short, then help me, we can trade an hour instead I thought a wheel was simple till he put it in the stand A hundred tiny choices had to balance in his hands He said don't tighten every spoke to look busy with your work A little care repeated does more good than sudden force Spoke by spoke, turn by turn You can build on what you learn Small hands, steady hope Keep it moving, spoke by spoke I came around on Mondays, swept the filings off the floor Then learned the stubborn cable, then the bearing, then much more The first bike that I fixed went to a kid from down the block He rode it in a circle till his mother made him stop I kept the bent old wheel above the bench beside the door To show the ones who come in thinking damage ends the story Spoke by spoke, turn by turn You can build on what you learn Small hands, steady hope Keep it moving, spoke by spoke Now he takes off early, leaves the shop key in my hand I teach the next apprentice how to listen to the stand We don't pretend the road will keep its corners smooth and clean We learn to fix what carries us and share the things we need Spoke by spoke, turn by turn You can build on what you learn Small hands, steady hope Keep it moving, spoke by spoke A bell rings by the doorway, somebody's wheel is wrong I put the kettle on and tell them roll it in