[Intro] The old soldier finally put down his pack. The battlefield folded. The sky turned to gold. No aches in the bone, no weight on the back... A quiet that cannot be bought or be sold. I wont blaim you if you take the easy road [Verse 1] I’m hovering high in the rafters and air, No shrapnel of memory, no heavy despair. My battered old vessel is resting below, A crumpled fatigue in the dust of the floor. There is no ambition, no dying, no need, No blood in the mouth that is begging to bleed. Just infinite stillness, immaculate grace— A gentle release from the human embrace. [Verse 2] Then the ether unfurls like an old roll of film... I see my wife’s hand reaching out through the chill. I see my young boys playing games in the yard, My daughter’s bright future I swore I would guard. My loved ones soft prayers cutting sharp through the dark— They carry the embers, they carry the spark. Who carries their shelter if I leave the line? Their pain is my honor. Their burden is mine. (Breath intake) I choose the heavy road. [Chorus 1] THEN THE STERNUM CRACKS! THE FRACTURED SIGHT! THE NEEDLES BURNING IN THE LIGHT! I SHED THE PEACE! I CLAIM THE CAGE! THE BATTERED SOLDIER TAKES THE STAGE! THE FILTERS SQUEAL, THE SPEAKERS BLOW, DRAG ME DOWN TO THE ASH BELOW! I'LL BREATH THE PAIN, WADE THROUGH THE MENTAL FOG! [Interruption] "Sir! Can you hear me?! Squeeze my hand! Squeeze my fingers now!" [Chorus 1] PULL ME DOWN INTO THE NOISE! [Interruption] "Look at me... who am I? Tell me who I am!" [Verse 3] The white light is calling me back to the rest, While knuckles are grinding the bone of my chest. I taste the cold copper, I smell the decay, I fight through the clouds just to push them away. I don't need the angels, I don't need the calm— Just let me be a shield. Just let me be strong. [Interuption] "Vitals are erratic! Oxygen mask on! Stay with us, come on , do not fade out!" [Chorus 2] REWIRE THE BRAIN! REIGNITE THE BREATH! I WILL NOT SURRENDER MY LOVE TO DEATH! GIVE ME THE ACHES! GIVE ME THE CLOUD! I'LL WEAR THIS BROKEN VESSEL PROUD! FOR THE ONES I HOLD, FOR THE ONES I KEEP, I AM CLAWING MY WAY OUT OF THE SLEEP! (High sustained scream) HOLD THE ROOM STEADY! HOLD THE ROOM STEADY! [Bridge] [Left Ear]: "Lay down your arms... the war is all done..." [Right Ear]: "MY POST IS NOT FINISHED! I STAY FOR MY LOVVVVE!" [Center]: "BP is climbing!" "Stay on your side!" "Keep his airway clear!" [Center — Both Sung Vocals Stacked, filters sweeping wildly]: I BEAR THE WEIGHT! [Outro] [Sound Scene: Muffled room tone, heavy ragged breath, blanket rustling] [Interruption | Gentle EMT voice, quiet and grounded] "Welcome back. You're home." (Dry raspy spoken voice, no reverb) The pedals click off. The ceiling is back in place. My chest feels crushed... my mind is gray. ...Thank God I'm here today, I am me...
