Hollow Crown

You wear your anger

Like a hand-me-down coat

Frayed at the edges

Smelling of smoke

Tell me the story

You never could tell

Why every small kindness

Feels like a threat you repel

You say you’re fine with that hollow crown

Built from the words that dragged you down

Holding your breath so you never drown

In the silence you carry around

If pain is the kingdom

You won the throne

But it’s so cold

Ruling alone

You carve your promise

On the back of your hand

Ink in the fissures

Where you used to stand

You stare at the ceiling

Like it’s staring back

Counting the cracks

Keeping your past intact

You say you’re fine with that hollow crown

Built from the words that dragged you down

Holding your breath so you never drown

In the silence you carry around

If pain is the kingdom

You won the throne

But it’s so cold

Ruling alone

What if the armor

Was just heavy skin

What if forgiveness

Is how wars begin to end (oh)

You could set fire

To that empty throne

Walk from the ashes

And finally go home

You say you’re done with that hollow crown

Done with the ghosts that held you down

Learning to breathe

You won’t let yourself drown

In the silence you carried around

If pain was the kingdom

You leave the throne

It’s still so strange

Not being alone