IRON SKIN

They taught me young, “Don't let them see you break”

Swallow every tear, for your father's sake

Stand up straight, keep your shoulders wide

Hide the war that's raging deep inside

I've worn this armor every day

So long I forgot how to take it away

A clenched fist where a heart should be

A silent man is what they wanted me to be

But there's a scream beneath my skin

Begging for someone to let it in

I'M NOT MADE OF STONE!

I'M JUST AFRAID TO SHOW YOU

THE WEIGHT THAT I CARRY ALONE

I'M NOT MADE OF STONE!

BUT EVERY TIME I OPEN MY MOUTH

THESE WORDS TURN TO BLOOD IN MY THROAT

They said, “Be a man!”

So I learned to suffer in silence

They said, “Be strong!”

So I buried the violence

Now I'm standing here

With a heart I don't know how to show

I'm not made of stone—

I just never learned how to let go

I've held my father's pain inside my bones

Inherited scars from a house I called home

He never said “I love you”

But I knew what he meant

He worked until he broke

And called the breaking strength