When Times Are Grey

I had a friend reach out and tell me

“I got too much on my plate”

I said, “Don’t you ever worry

You got me when times are grey”

She said, “Nathan, I feel broken

No one understands my pain

And my parents never listen

I don’t wanna feel this way”

She’s smiling in the hallway

But it’s fading in her eyes

Everybody thinks she’s fine

They don’t see the disguise

Walking through the noise

While she’s quiet in the crowd

Holding in a storm

Never letting it out

⸻

Don’t cry, don’t fade

I swear this hurt won’t stay

Give it time, just breathe

You’re stronger than you see

⸻

Darling don’t you cry

I promise it gets better

Take my hand tonight

We’ll find the light together

I’ll be right here with you

You don’t walk alone

I ain’t gonna leave you

You always got a home

They don’t know you’re struggling

‘Cause you hide it all away

But I see through the silence

And I’m here when times are grey

⸻

Can we not talk school for once?

It makes you feel sick

Every voice in that room

Just adds weight to the brick

You said life feels fragile

Like a coin you could lose

Every step feels heavy

Like you got nothing to choose

Here we sit in the storm

Waiting out the rain

Hoping it won’t wash away

Everything you’ve named

And I’m sorry if I missed it

If I didn’t understand

But I’m learning how to listen

I’m reaching out my hand

⸻

All these kids in the world

Trying hard just to breathe

Wearing smiles like armor

Begging someone to see

You don’t gotta be perfect

You don’t gotta be strong

You just gotta keep going

Even when it feels wrong

And if the night gets louder

And the dark gets deep

Call my name, I’m running

You don’t fall alone with me

⸻

Darling don’t you cry

We’re gonna make it through

Every scar inside

Doesn’t define you

Take my hand tonight

We’ll outrun the weather

Step by step, we fight

And we heal together

They don’t know you’re struggling

But I swear I always will

And I’ll stay right beside you

Until your heart is still

Still beating

Still dreaming

Still here

Still breathing

⸻

You got me when times are grey

You got me when words can’t stay

And I won’t give up on you

No, I won’t give up on you