You pull us close, say, “Everybody, smile” I know the move, I can hold it for a while Chin up, eyes front, give the room what it needs Then you look at me like the picture proves peace You say, “Good job, man, you’re doing so well” I say, “Yeah, all good,” ’cause I know how to sell That second you caught with my face in its place Then the flash goes dark and you turn away That was the part you came to see. You freeze one frame, then call it the truth You like what it says, so you don’t ask for proof If the smile stays clean, then the story stays right But you leave with the flash; I go home with the night Good job — you got the picture right Good job — every edge is bright You saw me standing, so you called me safe You caught one second and you framed my life Good job — now look me in the face I’m more than the smile you saved You scroll back later, say, “You looked alive” Like one good shot means I’m good all night Then the group drifts out and the room goes bare Your words stay loud, but nobody’s there You tag the night, add a heart, add a line “So proud of you, brother, you’re killing it, right?” Right — I hit every cue, kept the timing tight Made the whole night easy, kept the cracks out of sight But don’t turn my timing into peace of mind Don’t crop out the hours beyond that light You love that version ’cause he asks for none He keeps it light, then he leaves when it’s done You freeze one frame, then call it the truth You like what it says, so you don’t ask for proof If I play my part, you can sleep at night While I carry the weight past the edge of sight Good job — you got the picture right Good job — every edge is bright You saw me laughing, so you called me safe You caught one second and you framed my life Good job — now look me in the face I’m more than the smile you saved The smile was real. So was everything after. Both can fit in the same night. You never stayed long enough to see that. So keep the photo, but give me back my name I won’t stand still while you flatten the frame I was there, I was warm, I was glad you came But a good ten seconds is not my whole day Say “good job” if you mean I made it through Don’t say it like the image tells you what is true I’m done looking fine just to make it easy for you— Look past the picture when I’m talking to you! Good job — the picture was never my life Good job — I kept it looking right You saw me standing; I was not always safe You caught one second; don’t let it stand in my place Good job — now stay here face to face I’m more than the smile you saved I’m here when the flash fades away Now stay for what the picture missed.
