[Intro] [Verse 1] Rate steady, ninety-two No arrhythmia, no sudden drop Just the slow, predictable rise Of the pressure in the left side I log the tremor in the wrist The shallow intake of the air I mark the micro-shift of weight When you pretend you’re just asleep [Chorus] What the Heart Monitor Forgets Is the way your jaw locks tight What the Heart Monitor Ignores Is the way your skin feels wrong I keep the count, the slow decay Of the thing you swore was gone I keep the trace, the rising tide Of the thing you won’t let go [Verse 2] It’s a pale patch under the sleeve Where the skin refused to smooth It doesn't bleed, it just sits Like a map of where you fell It’s the color of old ink On a sheet you threw away It doesn't hurt when you look But it’s the proof you can’t erase [Chorus] What the Heart Monitor Forgets Is the way your jaw locks tight What the Heart Monitor Ignores Is the way your skin feels wrong I keep the count, the slow decay Of the thing you swore was gone I keep the trace, the rising tide Of the thing you won’t let go [Bridge] I record the weight of your thumb On the seam of the threadbare coat I log the pressure on your clavicle When you think the room is empty I hold the rhythm of your breath When your lungs are trying to stop I keep the arc of your spine When you’re trying to be small [Final Chorus] What the Heart Monitor Forgets Is the way your jaw locks down What the Heart Monitor Refuses Is the way your skin feels wrong I keep the count, the slow erosion Of the thing you swore was done I keep the trace, the rising flood Of the thing you won’t let go [Outro] Pulse steady, ninety-one No spike, no skip Just the slow, deliberate fall To zero.
