The nights come early, the air is thin The year weighs heavy on my skin I hear the world slow down outside While I’m learning how to stay alive No grand wishes, no perfect scenes Just flickering lights and in-betweens I don’t need more than what I know Some things survive the cold and snow I won’t fake what I don’t feel I won’t dress the dark as something real I’ll stand here steady, not afraid Of the quiet choices that I’ve made I’ve walked through winters I couldn’t name Where warmth felt distant, love felt late Still here, still breathing through it all I don’t disappear when the shadows fall Let the bells ring somewhere else tonight I’ll keep my fire small but bright No spectacle, no borrowed cheer Just staying honest through the year I won’t fake what I don’t feel I won’t dress the dark as something real I’ll stand here steady, not afraid Of the quiet choices that I’ve made The season holds — and so do I
