Heard, But Too Late

I spoke in whispers no one learned,

In tear-stained sleeves that always burned.

I flinched at hands, I stayed real small,

I learned to make no sound at all.

The hallway light would leak inside,

I’d trace the shadows, try to hide.

Every night I’d hope and pray,

“Maybe someone comes today…”

(Chorus)

I was waving from a sinking place,

But no one ever saw my face.

Now the world wants to ask me why,

But I already said goodbye.

You can hear me now, can’t you?

Funny how the truth cuts through…

When it’s heard too late.

But silence wraps around a scream,

Till no one knows what it could mean.

I was crying in quiet ways,

In broken nights and hidden days.

Bruises fade but stories don’t,

I carried words that I couldn’t quote.

Teachers smiled, said “You’re okay”,

I just nodded, and looked away.

Neighbors heard my cries of plea,

Locked their doors and let me be.

Every sign was there to see,

But no one saw the damaged me!

(Chorus)

I learned to speak without a sound,

While everything was breaking down.

I was crying out in quiet ways,

In broken nights and hidden days!

I was waving from a sinking place,

But no one ever saw my face.

Now the world wants to ask me why,

But I already said goodbye.

You can hear me now, can’t you?

Funny what the truth will do…

When it’s heard too late

(Spoken Word + Music Hybrid)

Cold steel table, bright white light,

They’re writing down my final night.

Photographs and evidence,

Now my pain makes perfect sense.

Headlines scream the words I said,

It's too late, I’m already dead.

Courtroom full, they finally see,

What all the silence did to me!

You could’ve heard me in a sigh,

In a tear I couldn’t cry.

In the way I shrank away,

I was begging you to stay!

(Defeated tone)

I was crying out—didn’t you know?

Every scar had room to show!

I was reaching through the cracks,

But no one ever reached me back.

Now my name is on the news,

Telling what you chose to lose!

You can hear me now, it’s true…

But there’s nothing you can do!

(child's begs for help to e heard)

I whispered… I pleaded… I tried to be brave,

Now I’m just a story people wish they could’ve saved.