A Kid's Best

I was thirteen with dirt on my hands
Fixing meals, breaking fights, making plans
While she stayed locked in her room upstairs
Only came down to point, never cared

"You're too loud." "You're too soft." "You're the problem again."
Every mistake was a mark on my skin
Tried to be their shelter, while I was still small
But she only showed up when I’d start to fall

[Pre-Chorus]
I didn’t want the crown or the blame
I just wanted someone to say my name
Without the echo of what I’d done wrong
But I stayed strong… too long

[Chorus]
I’m sorry I broke while I tried to bend
I was a boy standing in for a man
They blamed the thunder, but I was the rain
Holding back storms I couldn’t contain
I loved them more than I could show
But I had to leave to save my soul
Now I carry the guilt, etched in flame
But I won’t wear her shame

[Verse 2]
She said, “This is your fault,” with eyes like ice
While I put the baby to sleep each night
No bedtime stories, no goodnight kiss
Just silence and blame, that’s all I’d get

My siblings smiled with broken teeth
Never asked why mom never speaks
They looked to me like I had the map
But I was just trying not to snap

[Pre-Chorus]
I gave them light in a house gone dim
But the fuse was frayed, and the walls grew thin
She'd scream from the shadows like I caused the fall
When I was the one holding it all

[Chorus]
I’m sorry I broke while I tried to bend
I was a boy standing in for a man
They blamed the thunder, but I was the rain
Holding back storms I couldn’t contain
I loved them more than I could show
But I had to leave to save my soul
Now I carry the guilt, etched in flame
But I won’t wear her shame

[Bridge – Screamed / Spoken]
She only saw me when she needed someone to blame
Not the scraped knees, the missed meals, the weight of their names
I held their hands while I was shaking
Built a home from a body that was breaking

[Breakdown – Instrumental Drop / Screamed Outro]
I love you
But I couldn’t stay
I gave everything
She threw it away
I was dying just to be seen
But survival made me leave

[Final Chorus – Slow Build, Then Powerful]
I’m sorry I broke while I tried to bend
I was the spark — not the end
They blamed the smoke, but never saw the fire
Burning through my worn-out wires
I hope they know it wasn’t goodbye
It was live... or die
I’ll carry the guilt in every breath
But I left to save what I had left

Emo/midwestemo/post-hardcore/acoustic/alt/pop-punk