It doesn’t scream it softly stays,
A shadow cast on brighter days.
No sudden wound, no gushing red,
Just heavy thoughts inside my head.

It wakes with me, it walks in stride,
It knows the words I try to hide.
It wraps around each step I take,
A weight that sleep will never break.

"You're tired," it hums, "just let it win,
What's the use of trying again?"
I hear it more than I hear truth,
It steals my fire, drains my youth.

But still I rise, though knees may shake,
Though hope feels thin and sure to break.
I clench my fists against the dark,
I breathe though lungs forget the spark.

They say be strong, they say hold on
But strength is worn, and faith is gone.
I do not roar, I do not shine,
I only try. This fight is mine.

No banners fly, no crowds applaud,
Just aching steps on ground that’s flawed.
But still I walk, and still I choose,
To bear the bruise and never lose.

For every day I drag this pain,
Through choking fog and endless rain,
Is proof enough that I resist
Still here, still real, I still exist.

And maybe that is all I need
No perfect light, no lightning speed.
Just one more breath, one more small try,
One more refusal to say goodbye.