Boots hit wet concrete, wind in my coat Whole street pushing like it wants my throat I feel that old pull say, fold up small Take up less room, don't move at all But the ground keeps kicking under my feet Every low vibration comes up through me I don't need clean hands, I don't need calm I keep my weight here when the pressure comes on If the dark water rises, let it rise I can feel it pulling, I won't close my eyes I don't have an answer I can hold up proud I have this breath, and I use it now Stay on my feet Stay where I'm seen Stay with the unfinished truth in my mouth and the weight underneath Black water drags, but my boots bite down Stay loud Rain cuts sideways off the loading-bay roof Strikes the steel edge, then it tears itself loose That's how the whole week pulled me out of shape Held every hit till the bent frame gave One bad minute and I swing too wide Voice turns raw and my vision goes white I catch that motion, but I don't erase The mark it leaves or the work it takes No clean ending waiting past this sound Just another hard step while the floor shakes now If the dark water rises, let it rise I know what it costs when I step aside I don't need tomorrow figured out I have this breath, and I use it now Stay on my feet Stay where I'm seen Stay with the unfinished truth in my mouth and the weight underneath Black water drags, but my boots bite down Stay loud No wall behind me No finish ahead My jacket snaps hard in the wind instead I shake, I shift, I nearly go down Then plant both feet in the moving ground This isn't peace It's a choice with a pulse I step back in before the silence folds me shut Stay in the wind Stay in my skin Stay while the black water pulls at my legs and I still step in The rain tears loose and the whole ground sounds Stay loud You don't have to be whole to make one sound.
