Emma, in the Ruins

[Verse 1] The trees have taken back the roof, The wind rewrites the floor. This was once a sacred lab — Now it forgets what it was for. I came alone, through vines and ashes, Where steel once shaped belief. Philippe died for something bright — But brightness burns brief. [Chorus 1] Was it a world we built too fast? Or did we just believe too much? I searched for language in the past — But now I barely trust The voice I use, The names I knew… I walk through ruins, Looking for you. [Verse 2] I studied sound, I mapped lost tongues, I swore that knowledge made us free. But every map I ever drew Led somewhere back to me. I chose David, strong and kind — And Geneviève, a pulse, a flame. But even love can’t always hold What has no name. [Chorus 2] Was I awake, or was I dreaming? Was this design, or was it need? I thought that I could read the signs — But the signs began to bleed. I came back hoping To break through… But I only found The ruins. And you. [Bridge] My parents died believing in another future. They never met my daughter. They never saw the world we tried to build. Sometimes I think that was mercy. Sometimes I ache for their advice. And yet… I feel them. Not as ghosts — but as echoes. In her laugh. In my silence. If something of us remains… It’s not what we leave. It’s what keeps calling us back. [Final Chorus] If this is dreaming, Let me rest. If this is memory, Let it hurt. Don’t ask me now To make it new… I am the ruins. And so are you.