“Paper Wings” (©CHRIS@ASTI@2013) [Verse 1] I’ve been running from the shadows of the things I couldn’t say, Holding on to broken whispers that were fading day by day. There’s a darkness in the corner where your memory used to live, And I’m drowning in the silence of the things I couldn’t give. I was fragile as the sunrise on a cold December morn, Trying hard to hide the shivers from a heart that’s bruised and torn. You were sunlight on my bruises, you were fire in my veins, But the warmth you gave in moments never stayed to numb the pain. [Pre-Chorus] And I still feel you in the pieces Of the life I left behind. Every heartbeat is a tremor Of the things I couldn’t find. [Chorus] ’Cause I’m flying on paper wings, Trying not to fall apart. Every tear becomes a river Tracing stories on my heart. I was breaking in your silence, I was screaming just to breathe — And I’m holding on to nothing But the ghost you left in me. I’m flying on paper wings Through the storms you couldn’t see. --- [Verse 2] There were nights I heard your footsteps in the rhythm of the rain, Like a promise being whispered, like a half-forgotten name. I kept waiting for forgiveness that you never meant to find, Kept on painting over memories you carved into my mind. I was stronger than I realized, but too fragile to survive All the storms you left unspoken in the corners of my life. Now I’m standing in the wreckage of the truth I tried to hide, With a heart that keeps on beating for a love that slowly died. [Pre-Chorus] And I’m trying not to shatter When the night pulls me apart. Every echo feels like glass shards Cutting deeper in my heart. [Chorus] ’Cause I’m flying on paper wings, Trying not to fall apart. Every tear becomes a river Tracing stories on my heart. I was breaking in your silence, I was screaming just to breathe — And I’m holding on to nothing But the ghost you left in me. I’m flying on paper wings Through the storms you couldn’t see. --- [Bridge — powerful, Sia-style explosion of emotion] I gave you every color In the palette of my soul, Let you draw your dreams upon me Till you swallowed me whole. But you never saw the beauty In the cracks I tried to hide — You just turned away from lightning When it sparked inside my eyes. And I’m standing in the thunder, But I’m learning how to burn. Every scar becomes a lesson, Every heartbreak helps me turn Into someone who can rise again From ashes on the floor — I’m a fire wrapped in silence, But I’m brighter than before! --- [Chorus — final, extended, emotional] I’m still flying on paper wings, Fragile but I’m reaching high. Every tear becomes a diamond When it falls out from the sky. I was breaking in your silence, Now I’m learning how to breathe — And the ghost you left behind Finally sets me free. I’m flying on paper wings Though the world may watch me fall. But the beauty in my breaking Is I rise above it all. --- [Outro — quiet, aching] So goodbye to all the echoes, To the pain I used to chase. I’m rewriting all the pieces Of the life you can’t erase. And though I’m flying on paper wings, I swear someday they’ll be steel — But tonight I’m still unfinished, Learning slowly How to heal.
