[Verse 1] Ash still whispers in my bones Smoke still lingers when I’m alone You call me back to broken ground But my blood knows that sound [Verse 2] We were children in the flame Carried fire without a name I have walked through years of night Holding ghosts that weren’t mine [Pre-Chorus] I hear the call, I feel the pull But I am not that child you knew [Chorus] Not this time, I won’t return To the place where shadows burn I have carried more than mine I lay it down—not this time Not this time, I choose to stand On steadier, living land I will not go back and break For someone else’s need to face [Verse 3] Brother, I hear your wounded call I feel the weight, I feel it all But I cannot walk in that door Not the way we did before [Bridge – low, chant-like] I am not the flame I am not the blame I am not the past I will not go back [Final Chorus] Not this time, I claim my breath I will not walk into that death I have fought too long inside To lay myself down and hide Not this time, I choose my ground Even if you go without I will meet you when you return But I can not go where I burn Not this time Not this time
