I’ve been dreaming with my eyes still open, static humming through my head. Every night I crash through thunder just to prove I’m not already dead. There’s a pulse that keeps repeating, whispering, “you’re not done yet.” So I crawl through the glass of yesterday and breathe what I’ve got left. The sky leans close; it knows my name, and I swear I feel it bend. If the ground gives out beneath me— fine, I’ll learn to fly again. No more halfway, no more hush, I’m the spark, I’m the rush. I can taste the metal in the rain, and I love it way too much. Can you take me higher— where the lost can finally breathe? Can you take me higher— past the smoke and make-believe? I don’t want heaven handed down, I’ll build it out of broken sound. Can you take me higher— till my scars forget to bleed? Rise, stay, burn. Rise, stay, burn. I almost quit the night she left, the house was shaking in its sleep. I learned to swallow thunder just to keep from screaming deep. But every bruise became a map, every crack let sunlight in. Now the ghosts I used to run from will never call me again. So if I fall, let it be loud. If I break, let it shake the crowd. No halos, no excuses now— just the truth I can’t turn down. Can you take me higher— where the blind begin to see? Can you take me higher— where the lighthouse points at me? I don’t need crowns, I don’t need kings, I just want what freedom brings. Can you take me higher— where the light rewrites my sins? Rise, stay, burn. Rise, stay, burn. Let the silence taste like gold, let the storm retell the story. If I’m still breathing when it ends, then I’ve earned this little glory. Take me higher— to the place that feels like peace. Take me higher— where I finally believe. Don’t save me, just stay real— I’m done with fear, I’m done with steel. Rise—stay—burn— this is how we learn. Rise—stay—burn— every scar returns. Rise—stay—burn— ’til the stars all turn. Rise—stay—burn— yeah, we live, we learn. (soft echo fading into silence) Rise… stay… burn…
