[Verse 1] Boots by the door Still caked with red dust He flinches at a slam Like the whole world lost trust Coffee goes cold Before the first sip He’s here in the room But his mind keeps its grip [Verse 2] She learns his silence Like weather at sea A look from his eyes Says “don’t corner me” He sleeps facing the wall Counting the cracks Some nights he’s home Some nights he’s back [Pre-Chorus] Don’t call it weak Don’t call it gone Some wounds stay loud Long after they’re on If you know his name Then know the weight He’s carrying more Than what he can say [Chorus] PTSD is real Hear me now PTSD is real Sit with me down No shame, no blame Just hold that line PTSD is real And healing takes time [Verse 3] The car backfires He’s out of the frame Hands on the dash But he’s not the same A kid drops a plate At the supper table He’s already gone Then he’s barely able [Verse 4] He hates the fireworks He hates the crowd Too many eyes Too many sounds She takes his hand At the county fair Not to fix his fear Just to stay right there [Pre-Chorus] Don’t call it weak Don’t call it gone Some wounds stay loud Long after they’re on If you know his name Then know the weight He’s carrying more Than what he can say [Chorus] PTSD is real Hear me now PTSD is real Sit with me down No shame, no blame Just hold that line PTSD is real And healing takes time [Verse 5] His brother says “You made it through” But scars don’t care What the living do Memories hit Like a fist through glass He’s learning slow He can let them pass [Verse 6] There’s a morning light On the kitchen floor He opens the blinds And then one more Says “stay with me” When the dark rolls in Not cured, not clean But he can begin [Bridge] If you see him shaking Don’t look away If she’s lost for words Don’t make her explain Understanding comes Before relief And mercy grows Where there used to be grief [Chorus] PTSD is real Hear me now PTSD is real Sit with me down No shame, no blame Just hold that line PTSD is real And healing takes time [Verse 7] Facing the wall He turns toward dawn One breath at a time Keeps carrying on For the ones who served For the ones who stay Understanding replaces Judgement today
