Heavy Boots

He said, “I’m fine,” like a shield

Mud on his work boots, same as steel

Late-night porch light on his face

Hands in his pockets, lost in place

His dad said, “Toughen up, son”

So he learned to swallow and run

But the crack in the wall got wide

When he couldn’t hide it inside

You can hold that line too long

Till the whole damn house feels wrong

And the weight you never named

Starts calling out your name

Say it out loud

Say it out loud

You don’t gotta go alone now

Say it out loud

Call him up now

Call him up now

One more honest word can save you

Call him up now

He missed three texts, then a week

Sat with that room feeling steep

The sink full of old coffee cups

And a throat too tight to cough it up

His brother said, “Man, talk to me”

Not “be strong,” just “come sit here with me”

And that small door opened wide

Like a window in the night

You can hold that line too long

Till the whole damn house feels wrong

And the weight you never named

Starts calling out your name

Say it out loud

Say it out loud

You don’t gotta go alone now

Say it out loud

Call him up now

Call him up now

One more honest word can save you

Call him up now

For the kid who learned to grin

While the storm was wearing thin

For the man who needs a hand

Not a lecture, just a chance

There’s no shame in shaky days

No gold medal for the ache

Take the seat, take the time

Let somebody hear you say

Say it out loud

Say it out loud

You don’t gotta go alone now

Say it out loud

Call him up now

Call him up now

One more honest word can save you

Call him up now

Say it out loud

Say it out loud

You’re still here, and that is enough now

Say it out loud