If I Break Quietly

(Clean – calm, almost casual)

Yeah… I’m good, don’t worry ‘bout me—

Just tired, you know how it be…

(Unclean – distant, creeping in)

Say it again, maybe you’ll believe it…

⸻

(Clean)

Same old days, just working through,

Nothing new, just passing through,

Laugh it off, keep it light—

I’ve been sleeping pretty alright.

(Unclean – under, rhythmic bursts)

Lie.

Counting cracks in the ceiling again,

Holding breath just to feel something hit—

You call this “fine”? This is it?

⸻

(Clean)

I don’t wanna make it deep,

We’re just talking, keep it easy—

(Unclean)

Say it. Say it. Say you’re not okay.

You’re choking on the words you never say.

⸻

(Clean – melodic, open)

I’m alright, I swear I’m holding steady,

Just a phase, nothing heavy—

(Unclean – cutting through)

I’M NOT ALRIGHT, I’M BARELY BREATHING—

(Clean continues, masking)

Got it handled, don’t you worry—

(Unclean overlaps)

I’M DROWNING SLOW AND NO ONE SEES ME—

(Both layered)

If I break… if I break…

Would you notice anyway?

⸻

(Clean)

We can joke like nothing’s wrong,

Same old me, just tagging along,

I don’t need to get into it—

It’s just life, I’m used to it.

(Unclean – sharper, more present)

You were taught that silence is strength,

That a crack in the armor means you’re less—

So you bury it deep, let it rot in your chest,

Call it “being a man,” call it “handling stress.”

⸻

(Clean)

It’s not that bad, I’ll be okay—

(Unclean)

You say that every single day.

⸻

(Clean)

I’m alright, I swear I’m still standing—

No need to reach out your hand—

(Unclean – louder, breaking through)

I NEED YOU NOW, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT—

(Clean continues)

I’ve got control, don’t understand—

(Unclean overlaps)

IF I COLLAPSE WOULD YOU EVEN TRY TO SAVE ME—

(Both)

If I break… if I break…

Would you hear me through the weight?

⸻

(Clean – soft)

I’m good…

(Unclean – immediate)

You’re not.

(Clean)

I’m fine…

(Unclean)

You’re not.

(Clean – cracking slightly)

It’s nothing—

(Unclean – intense)

It’s everything.

(Both – overlapping, building)

Say it / Hide it

Break down / Fight it

Call out / Stay quiet

⸻

(Unclean – dominant, rhythmic)

If I fall in the middle of the night,

Would you see it or just pass me by?

If I finally let the silence die,

Would you hear me or just hear the lie?

⸻

(Clean – emotional, less mask now)

I’m not alright… I’ve been pretending—

(Unclean – merging, less separate)

Say it now, don’t keep bending—

(Both)

If I break… if I break…

Will you catch me when I cave?

⸻

(Clean – quiet, honest)

If I told you…

Would you stay?