After the Shift

Back home smellin’ bleach, hands cold, streets preach Coffee spill, hearts still, lessons we teach Scrubs on the floor, life stains they ignore Night hums low, souls glow, love’s the core You whisper “I’m fine,” hide pain in line Eyes tell tales, night sails, this heart’s mine Hands that heal, soul that bends, still pretend City sleeps, I keep, our nights blend They clap for you in bright white lights, fightin’ frights Forget you when the clock ticks, long nights I catch the quiet, city riot, hidden sights See the cracks, the acts, behind your fights You save lives, swallow strife, mask the knife Still apologize for pain, it’s your life Hands steady, heavy levy, we ride I’m tryna hold you where the night collide I’m right here, yeah, don’t rush You don’t gotta speak a word, hush After the shift, when it’s quiet That’s when I feel you the most I’m right here, yeah, lean in Don’t hide your pain, nothin’ lost within You save the world, every night Let me be the one you trust I’m right here, yeah, breathe slow Let your heartbeat guide the flow After the shift, when lights go low I catch the parts no one knows Some nights you wake, call names unknown I pull you close, let chills be overthrown You heal ’em all but can’t heal your own I feel the cracks that never get shown Streetlights flicker, hoodie thicker, tired eyes Truth seeps, sleep creeps, no disguise After the shift, when the night is ours I’m the calm behind scars, in dark towers I ain’t here to fix, just hold the line A place where your heart don’t gotta shine City loud, we quiet in the room Every breath, heartbeat, every gloom Hands that shake, mind that bends I see the nights that never end You don’t gotta fight no more alone After the shift, this love’s our home I’m right here, yeah, don’t rush You don’t gotta speak a word, hush After the shift, when it’s quiet That’s when I feel you the most I’m right here, yeah, lean in Don’t hide your pain, nothin’ lost within You save the world, every night Let me be the one you trust I’m right here, yeah, breathe slow Let your heartbeat guide the flow After the shift, when lights go low I catch the parts no one knows Morning light, coffee cold, sun barely rise You mumble “I gotta go,” I just sigh After the shift, when you come back home I’ll be right here, never alone I’m right here After the shift When it’s quiet That’s us