For Once

I knew the answer
before they asked.
Not tonight.
Maybe next time.

I liked the door closed.
I liked my plans.
Nothing could happen
I didn't understand.

Then you said,
“Come with us.”
I almost laughed.
I almost left.

But something stopped me
at the door.

For once,
I said yes.
For once,
I didn't turn away.

No second thought.
No safe excuse.
I let the moment
choose the way.

For once,
I said yes.

We missed the last bus.
Walked through the rain.
Found a little bar
I never knew had a name.

Someone played guitar.
Someone bought a round.
And for a few hours
I forgot to shut life down.

Nothing changed
the whole wide world.

But something changed
in mine.

For once,
I said yes.
For once,
I didn't turn away.

No second thought.
No safe excuse.
I let the moment
choose the way.

For once,
I said yes.

Maybe life
was never hiding.

Maybe I
just stayed inside.

One small word.
One open door.

That was all
it took that night.

For once,
I said yes.
For once,
I let the moment stay.

No looking back.
No counting costs.
I let one evening
change the way.

For once,
I said yes.

For once,
I said yes.