Release, but No Relief

[Verse 1] By the railroad bridge, the air was alive, With laughter and dares, the race to outsize. Bigger rocks, louder splashes—we wanted more, To claim the biggest and loudest roar. I find the one, a jagged beast, Heavy enough to silence the feast. It presses my hands, digs into my knee, But I’m moving fast—no one can outdo me. They’re watching, they’re laughing, my secret’s undone, I lift it too fast, trying to run. The weight shifts, my grip gives way, The rock falls hard, my foot in its way. A sharp scream tears through the air, I’m crying, I’m running—I don’t care. A blister blooms under my nail, And my pride’s left limping, weak and frail. [Chorus] When I get home, I grab my racket, Feel the pain and fiercely attack it. Swing like I’m breaking the weight in two, Each strike a vow of what I’ll undo. No relief, just raw release, Every hit, a scream unleashed. The ball flies far, lost in its aim, Out of the court, but not the shame. --- [Verse 2] First day, no chairs, of course it’s me, Shoved in the back where no one can see. No desk, just a seat by the door, A castaway left on the classroom floor. I’m staring at nothing—what should I do? The quiz hits my desk, but I don’t have a clue. I scrawl answers fast, wrong guesses, a blur, No time to think, no time to defer. Next morning, papers in his hand, He stops in front of me, makes a stand. “Good job, Mister,” with a pat on my back, A grin too wide, his tone an attack. I look at the page, my stomach twists, A Z minus—didn’t know grades like this exist. The room’s a furnace, eyes start to burn, Why’s it always my turn to learn? [Chorus] When I get home, I grab my racket, Feel the pain and fiercely attack it. Swing like I’m breaking the weight in two, Each strike a vow of what I’ll undo. No relief, just raw release, Every hit, a scream unleashed. The ball flies far, lost in its aim, Out of the court, but not the shame. --- [Verse 3] I see her walking, books stacked high, My chest tightens, I don’t know why. “Let me carry those,” my voice cracks through, She shakes her head—I don’t have a clue. I grab them anyway, too much to prove, Her hands let go, and the books just move. Pages scatter, laughter starts, I stand there breaking, falling apart. Can’t think straight, too loud, too much— They’re watching, I’m burning, I’m out of touch. I walk away, my face bright red, Regret like a weight pressed into my head. [Chorus] When I get home, I grab my racket, Feel the pain and fiercely attack it. Swing like I’m breaking the weight in two, Each strike a vow of what I’ll undo. No relief, just raw release, Every hit, a scream unleashed. The ball flies far, lost in its aim, Out of the court, but not the shame. Each strike a vow of what I’ll undo. No relief, just raw release, Every hit, a scream unleashed. The ball flies far, lost in its aim, Out of the court, but not the shame.