Best Foot Forward

I rehearsed every word I’d say Like it mattered anyway Pressed shirt, steady hands Playing parts I understand Every step, every glance Measured like a second chance Hold it in, don’t let it slip Every word on a loaded tip Something’s bending, just enough Like it’s waiting to erupt Say it clean, say it right Keep it steady, hold it tight Every crack begins to show Underneath the undertow Say it calm, say it straight Don’t react, just hesitate Every line I tried to draw Turns to something I can’t ignore Voices climbing, rooms get small Echoes bouncing off the walls Words like glass across the floor I don’t hear them like before Something sharp behind the tone Like I’m not here on my own Say it clean, say it right Keep it steady, hold it tight Every crack begins to show Underneath the undertow Say it calm, say it straight Don’t react, just hesitate Every line I tried to draw Turns to something I can’t ignore Could’ve said it differently Could’ve let it settle clean Now it circles back again Like it never had an end If I let it all collapse Would it fade or just relapse Say it clean, say it right Watch it fracture in the light Every piece I tried to save Turns to something I can’t name Say it calm, say it straight Let it twist and resonate Every word I tried to hold Breaks apart before it’s told