It knows my name

I wake up choking in the dark

Like something’s wrapped around my heart

My body won’t obey my brain

I try to scream but nothing starts

The ceiling crawls

The corners bend

Shadows gather

Crowd the bed

My eyes are open

Nailed in place

I taste metal

Static dread

It knows my name

Breathing in the walls again

Pressing on my chest like blame

Whispering in borrowed voices

It knows my name

Says it like a childhood friend

Soft as if it’s all a game

Holding all my choices

Clock red digits smear and run

Mouth is desert

Heavy tongue

Every inhale feels too loud

Like I’m begging lungs to come

Footsteps in the upstairs room

But I live on the second floor

Something leans against my thoughts

Turns the handle in my door

It knows my name

Breathing in the walls again

Pressing on my chest like blame

Whispering in borrowed voices

It knows my name

Says it like a childhood friend

Soft as if it’s all a game

Holding all my choices

Is this my brain on broken glass

Old fears playing puppet master

Or something waiting in the cracks

Learning me a little faster (oh)

If I just ride it like a wave

Count the cracks

Repeat a phrase

Will I wake up and feel okay

Or bring it back by saying

It knows my name

Breathing in the walls again

Pressing on my chest like blame

Whispering in borrowed voices

It knows my name

Says it like a childhood friend

Soft as if it’s all a game

And I’m the one it toys with