Still On Strings

(Verse 1)

They wind me up behind the scenes

Say I’m the voice they wish they had

I twitch to life in silver beams

But every word feels secondhand

They cheer when I collapse with grace

Call it brave, like I meant to fall

They paint me bold, they love my face

But I don't recognize it at all

They stitch their hopes into my skin

Like I was made to wear their weight

I play the part they locked me in

Smile wide, and dislocate

(Pre-Chorus)

And maybe I move, but it’s not from will

I bend for crowds I’ll never trust

They call it art when I stand still

But I’m just choking on their dust

(Chorus)

You say I’m gold while I rust inside

You see a light where I feel void

You call it strength every time I hide

But I’m just noise that you enjoy

You love the crash, not the silence after

You want the mask, not the eyes that sting

You worship pain when it comes with laughter

But I’m still dying

And I’m still on strings

(Verse 2)

They lift me high like I should shine

Like I was born to bleed for show

But every gesture isn’t mine

And every line feels hollow, slow

You trace the cracks along my spine

Like they’re the proof I’ve earned your praise

But I’ve been breaking this whole time

And you mistake it for a phase

My limbs don’t bend the way they should

I jerk, I stall, I freeze, I shake

And every time I fake it good

It gets a little more opaque

(Pre-Chorus)

So when you say you see me clear

You're just staring through the glass

You fall in love with what you hear

But never ask if it will last

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

I didn’t choose this body made of wire

Didn’t ask to be a silhouette on fire

You pull the cords and call it grace

But you’ve never seen my real face

There’s a scream behind the stitched-up grin

A truth too raw to let begin

I’ve tried to cut the ties myself

But you keep nailing me to your shelf

(Final Chorus)

You say I’m gold while I rust inside

You see a god when I see doubt

You sing my name like a battle cry

But I’m still trying to claw out

You want the puppet, not the soul

You want the pain that doesn’t sting

You love the myth, not the toll

And I’m still dancing

Still breaking

Still on strings

(Outro – Quiet/Soft)

If I fall and no one claps

Will I finally disappear?

If I stop moving

Will you stop calling it sincere?