Twenty-four, feel old, but the world says I’m young Bills hit the bank and the money’s already gone Smile at work, “you good?” yeah I nod and I front But my head won’t shut up when the night finally comes Adopted heart, split home, learned to carry my own Love came late but it feels like I finally belong Got a girl, got a dream, got a ring in my thoughts Got fear in the mirror sayin’ “what if you’re not?” Grandma’s voice in my head, wish I listened back then Life was loud, missed the signs, still replay it again I’m blessed but I’m stressed, that’s the part I can’t shake Feel guilty for wanting more when I already ate I pray, then I fall, then I pray once again Tryna walk like a man while I’m fightin’ my head They say “you’re doin’ great,” but I don’t see the proof ‘Cause I’m hardest on me when I’m tellin’ the truth I wear my heart on my sleeve, yeah it cuts when I bleed But it’s proof that I feel, proof that I’m still me Some nights I’m strong, some nights I can’t breathe But I’m here, I’m alive, put my fear in the backseat I been lost, I been low, I been down on my knees Still I get back up, yeah I fight, I repeat If I fall seven times, I get up eight at least Heart on my sleeve — that’s the price of being me Salary nice on paper, still livin’ check to check They say “budget better,” yeah I know, I’m a mess Young AGM, they don’t take me serious Age on my badge got ‘em actin’ delirious Called “Billy B” when I snap, yeah I laugh through the pain Crack jokes, ease tension, keep sane in the rain I’m the calm in the storm, but the storm’s in my chest Tryna lead, tryna love, tryna give my best Church songs on repeat, try to quiet the noise Tryna choose who I am over who I was destroyed Temptation knockin’ late, fear callin’ my phone But I’m learnin’ how to sit with myself alone I got faith, got doubt, both live in my skin I don’t quit, I don’t run, even when I give in I’m not broken, I’m bendin’, still holdin’ my frame I’m not healed yet, but I’m not the same I wear my heart on my sleeve, yeah it cuts when I bleed But it’s proof that I feel, proof that I’m still me Some nights I’m strong, some nights I can’t breathe But I’m here, I’m alive, put my fear in the backseat I been lost, I been low, I been down on my knees Still I get back up, yeah I fight, I repeat If I fall seven times, I get up eight at least Heart on my sleeve — that’s the price of being me Fear tried to crown itself king of my mind Said “you peaked,” said “you’re runnin’ outta time” But I looked in the mirror, saw the fire still there Said “you don’t get the wheel, you can ride if you dare” I’m not perfect, I’m present, I’m learnin’ the pace I don’t need to be rich just to earn my place If tomorrow gets heavy, I’ll carry it slow One prayer, one breath, one step, then I go I wear my heart on my sleeve, yeah it scares me to death But I’d rather feel pain than feel nothin’ at all I been tested by nights where I questioned my breath But I’m still standin’ here, I ain’t ready to fall.

Heart on my Sleeve