Lyric

I nearly missed the train

But I made it through the gate

With my pulse in my fingers

And my mouth set straight

I bought the ticket

I stood in line

I looked like someone

Who was doing fine

It was not enough

To call for help

Not big enough

To explain myself

So I kept it small

I kept it planned

Held my own fall

In one closed hand

Too small to stop the day

Too quiet to be named

I was coming apart

In an ordinary way

No one had to worry

No one had to stay

I was almost gone

But I still looked okay

I typed back, “No problem”

Then stared at the wall

Put laundry in the washer

Let the next hour crawl

The sink was full

The room stayed neat

I sat on the floor

And counted my teeth

It was not a scene

It was not a sign

Just a private breakdown

On borrowed time

If I could still answer

If I could still stand

Then what could anyone

Really understand

Too small to stop the day

Too quiet to be named

I was coming apart

In an ordinary way

No one had to worry

No one had to stay

I was almost gone

But I still looked okay

I did not need a rescue

I needed one delay

One person saying

You can leave today

But the clock kept working

And the street stayed loud

So I folded the damage

And went back out

Too small to stop the day

Too quiet to be named

I was coming apart

In an ordinary way

No one had to notice

No one had to change

I was almost gone

But I still looked okay