I never called it living I just called it getting through the day Waking up and carrying the silence Finding somewhere safe to put the pain I learned to read the room before I entered Learned to disappear without a sound I became whatever kept me breathing While the pieces of me stayed underground And I don't know when I stopped asking If there was more than just getting by I only knew that every morning Somehow, I was still alive I am a survivor Not because I never broke Not because I wasn't frightened Not because I always hoped I survived the days I couldn't bear The nights I couldn't make it through I kept a little piece of me When I had nothing left to lose I am a survivor Even if I never felt that strong Maybe surviving wasn't living Maybe it was just holding on I got good at saying I was fine Good at hiding behind a smile I carried things I could never say And smiled so no one would look within Some memories still live inside me Some still don't have words at all They rise before I even know them Like a body remembering it all And maybe I was never fearless Maybe fear just couldn't make me leave Maybe every quiet step I took Was a part of me refusing to disappear I am a survivor Not because I never broke Not because I wasn't frightened Not because I always hoped I survived the days I couldn't bear The nights I couldn't make it through I kept a little piece of me When I had nothing left to lose I am a survivor Even if I never felt that strong Maybe surviving wasn't winning Maybe it was just holding on There were days I disappeared Without ever leaving the room Days my body kept on moving While my mind was somewhere else And I thought that made me broken Thought I should have been more brave But maybe that was how I saved me Maybe that's what kept me here I was there Even when I couldn't feel it I was there Even when I couldn't speak Something in me kept breathing Something in me wouldn't leave I am a survivor And I don't have to prove it now I don't need to call it strength I just need to say it out loud I survived the days I couldn't name The nights I thought would never end I kept a little piece of me And somehow found my way back in I am a survivor Not untouched, not unafraid I carry every part that stayed And every part I had to save I am a survivor And maybe that's enough I didn't win I didn't conquer I just kept going And I'm still here I never called it surviving I just called it getting through the day But I'm still here.
