I yank me collar, shoulders tight,

And step out to face the rain.

The budget's square, the future's bright

Or that’s the script to ease the strain.

 

I sound just like the bloke you raised,

The ordinary lad you knew.

But mam, this adult game is rigged,

It’s wearing me right through.

 

I juggle bills and brutal shifts,

Then scrub the teardrops from me face.

I unlock the door to me daughter's arms,

The only holy place.

 

I wear the armor that you built,

The cold machinery in me chest.

I’ll bleed to see your hopes fulfilled,

And never let you see me second-guess.

 

But midnight hits the window sill,

The armor splits at the seam.

The world demands a strength I can't will,

The concrete chokes the dream.

 

I want to sit at your table, mam,

And let the pressure finally slide.

To tell you I'm sick of being "able,"

And dump this rotting pride.

 

The morning buzzer screams abuse.

I check the clock, spit out the rust.

No time for tears, there’s no excuse,

Clocking in because I must.

 

So I’ll keep fighting in the grey,

A soldier in a plastic cloak.

I’ll swallow down the bile and stress,

And speak as if the glass never broke.

 

You raised me up to stand unbowed,

To fight and keep me grip.

So I’ll look you in the eye, make you proud,

And bite the truth right off me trembling lip.

 

But if the dark completely blocks the sun,

If I break, you’ll be the first to know.

Until then, mam, the boy is gone

I’m the man you knew would grow.