Stay

Head full of static, I stack and I scatter fragments that fracture, I’m back to the pattern maskin’ the panic with manic mechanics I act like I’m stable, I’m actually shattered Cash comin’ quick but it don’t feel mine signed every line but I don’t feel signed say I’m in control but the code don’t align like I’m livin’ a life that I didn’t design Choom said “lay low”, then he ghosted in days came back zipped up in a budget display his shoes by the door still covered in grey no one said shit, they just cleared his name I talk, no reply, just a lag in the head like my thoughts gotta load before anything’s said try to stay present but drift instead I’m still here… but I don’t feel me yet If you fall apart… I’ll stay the same Even when you don’t remember your name If it all goes dark… I’ll still remain somewhere inside all the noise and the pain Stay… don’t fade away I’m still here, just out of place Hold… what’s left of me before it slips away Stay… even if it breaks even if it aches If you lose yourself tonight I’ll keep your shape I’ll keep your shape… even when you change… I’ll keep your shape… I don’t snap, I just segment the pressure measure what’s left and suppress it to lesser versions of self, I sever the tether from anything real just to hold it together Better on paper than I am in person version updated, the feel gettin’ worse and every improvement come packaged in curses trade a little soul just to function in verses I think, I blink, I split into pieces live in revisions, deletin’ the reasons system decisions been shiftin’ my vision till I don’t know what I’m keepin’ or leavin’ Bathroom light flickers, I stare at my face swear it looks different each time that it breaks sayin’ I’m fine while I tighten my jaw say it again… just to make it feel safe Late night… I call your name through the static… through the frame don’t let me fade… If you disappear… I stay the same Subject compliant — responsive to command minor identity drift within tolerance band Maintain deployment — performance intact empathy reduced but adaptive to task Cost of replacement exceeds current risk behavior aligns when exposed to stimulus Memory distortion improves compliance resistance declines under guided reliance Mark for review, but continue the run termination reserved if deviation’s begun He thinks he’s broken — that works in our favor People like him… are easier to tailor Stay… don’t fade away I’m still here, just out of place Hold… what’s left of me before it slips away Stay… even if it breaks even if it aches If you lose yourself tonight I’ll keep your shape They say it’s all in your head… …then why does it feel like someone else is in it?