[Intro – quiet, soft hum of a fridge] [Verse 1 – gentle, reflective] The cashier’s eyes have bags like old maps She folds a receipt and mumbles about her cat Says it knocked over her favorite mug last night Now she’s counting dimes to make the rent right [Verse 1 Continued – soft, sympathetic] A trucker slams his fist on the counter edge Says his radio broke, can’t hear his kid’s message He’s been driving 12 hours straight through rain Just wants to get home to his old porch again [Pre-Chorus – hopeful, quiet build] Every shadow here holds a half-told tale Every sigh’s a secret that won’t fail To stick to my bones like the store’s old coffee smell I’m just a listener, trying to tell [Chorus – warm, nostalgic] Dawn at the corner store, stories spill slow Like the steam from the urn where the old coffee grows We’re all just strangers with scars we don’t show Hiding in the light where the cold night won’t go [Verse 2 – tender, observant] A teen leans against the snack rack, phone in hand Staring at a text she can’t bring herself to send She twists a bracelet made of faded thread Says her best friend moved away, left her heart half-dead [Pre-Chorus 2 – soft, compassionate] Every crumpled note holds a quiet plea Every laugh’s a mask for a quiet need They don’t know I’m writing their words down in my head Turning their quiet pain into a song they can’t forget [Chorus 2 – warm, comforting] Dawn at the corner store, stories spill sweet Like the syrup on the donuts that no one will eat We’re all just travelers with nowhere to meet Hiding in the hush where the dark street won’t reach [Bridge – gentle, introspective] I grab my drink and step out into the light Leaving the store’s hum behind me in the night Their voices stick to my coat like morning dew I carry their stories, something new [Chorus 3 – warm, uplifting] Dawn at the corner store, stories stay bright Like the first ray of sun that chases the night We’re all just souls looking for a little light Hiding in the cracks where the world feels right [Outro – fading, soft]