Burnt Phoenix

[Spoken Word Intro – low bass pulse, distant static, slow build orchestra build)

I wasn’t always a Phoenix.

But I was always me.

Beat down too many times.

I couldn’t see what was in front of me…

(front of me echoes and fades into static)

I was working six days a week.

Grinding…

pushing…

gaining no ground…

Underpaid.

Undervalued.

(Verse)

I fought to survive.

You fought to keep me down.

Make me a clone of you.

But I have too much heart for that.

Fuck you.

Fuck your rules.

I’ll succeed on my own.

I’ll walk away with my head held high.

Phone in my hand.

Kids on my mind.

Where is my next meal coming from?

Being paid as much as a rookie…

Why don’t you work harder?

WHY DON’T YOU FUCKING PAY ME MORE?!

I was a burnt phoenix.

Ready to die.

Fueled by caffeine, pills and spite.

I was a burnt phoenix ready to die.

No hope at all.

No light at the end of the tunnel.

You sat me down.

Performance review.

Why don’t you work harder?

You’re better than this.

You’re just lazy.

Me:

I’m…..not…….LAZY!!!!!

I’m busting my ass!

Got debt collectors calling.

Working fifty to sixty hours a week.

The sweat I poured out.

Gave my crew the bricks needed

While I was held together

By duct tape and hope.

Car just got towed.

My kids see me failing.

How can we help?

Bullshit.

I gave all I could give.

But I was drowning in the water…

You were pulling away the rope.

I was a burnt phoenix.

Ready to die.

Fueled by caffeine, pills and spite.

(Breathe)

I was a burnt phoenix ready to die.

Now I’m ready for my future.

I’m ready to…

Exist…………..(echo fade)

I took a step back.

I looked in the mirror.

A graying-haired man stood in front of me…..

What have I become?

Who will I be?

A better father?

A better partner?

A better…….friend?

No longer burnt Phoenix.

I’m now Phoenix rising.

I may be starting over and broke.

I’m Phoenix rising.

I’m shattering the glass.

I’m Phoenix rising.

You can’t stop me now.

I’m Phoenix rising.

And I am finally—

…me.