Cold night, hoodie zipped breath turn to smoke Estate lights flicker like they tryna tell a joke Mum’s on late shift fridge hum louder than me Phone on 4 percent but my head on empty School said I’m bright but I don’t see the shine Teachers talk futures I just watch the time Man dem outside tryna pattern some food I said “nah I’m calm” but the rent say move First time I lied just to help with a bill Said I’m working nights but I’m learning the drill Runner on a bike with the rain in his eyes Thinking “just this once” while I swallow my pride I was on the last bus home seat ripped, head low Every stop feel like a place I could go Tryna do right but the roads say no Every man got a price I was close, real close On the last bus home engine crying too Same way my mum did when the rent came through If I make it out, I swear I’ll tell the truth But the truth don’t feed you when you’re starving too Started small just bags in a sock Same hands that shook when I first held a rock Not cocaine, nah stress in a cube Whole life boiling in a council room Friends turn dealers dealers turn ghosts Couple man locked couple man boast I seen man smile with a knife in his coat Say “trust me bro” like trust ain’t broke First chase, heart banging out my chest Police lights painting sins on my breath I ran past the park where I learnt to ride Funny how fast innocence dies Got paid that night but I couldn’t sleep Money on the table like it watching me Mum said “you’re distant you alright my son?” I said “yeah I’m tired” and stared at the floor, dumb I was on the last bus home seat ripped, head low Every stop feel like a place I could go Tryna do right but the roads say no Every man got a price I was close, real close On the last bus home windows steamed with doubt Dreams feel loud but the ends shout louder now If I make it out, I swear I’ll tell the truth But the truth don’t feed you when you’re starving too Night went left when the phone rang twice Wrong place, wrong time wrong advice He said “come quick, bro somethin went mad” I saw blood on the floor where my friend once laughed Sirens sang like it’s part of the tune Blue lights dancing in a silent room I held my breath while they asked my name Whole life shaking in a stainless frame They let me walk but I weren’t the same Saw his mum on the stairs screaming out his name That’s when it hit me this ain’t no game Every “easy pound” got a body attached to the chain I quit the roads but the roads don’t quit Still see them nights when I try to sit Got a dead-end job but I sleep at night Peace don’t glitter but it fit me right
