Hush now, little sister, stay real still, The house is quiet but the dark has will, Mama ran out when the sirens cried, Boots on concrete, the door slammed wide I know the boomers sound far away, That means the walls are still holding today, When the lights flicker, that’s not a sign, Just the city breathing, one more time Sleep now, little sister, on my arm, I’ll be your shelter, I’ll be your calm, If you ask where mama had to go, I’ll say she’s working so the sun can show The tank tracks faded down the street, Vroom turned hush under broken feet, Cannon thunder shook the room, I said “she’ll be home”… I meant soon Breathe with me, just like this, In… out… don’t miss, If the alarms start counting red, We go to the room mama said I’m older now than I was last night, That’s how it works when you learn too fast, Strong doesn’t mean you don’t feel afraid, It means you stay when you wish you’d fade Hush now, little sister, eyes shut tight, The generator hums us through the night, If help runs late and the world stays mean, I’ll be what stands in between Sleep now, little sister, I won’t go, Mama was brave, now I know, They can take the street, the sky, the tune, But they don’t get you. Not tonight. Not soon.
