Grind

You look at me like I belong here
Hacked the code just to stay near
You drop blueprints in my lap
And I smile like I’ve done this crap
I trace the lines with trembling hands
Pretend I planned what I can’t understand
Your praise a drug, your faith a knife
I forge your world while faking life

There’s no genius in my stare
Just caffeine and silent prayers

Grind me down to match your dream
Make me scream what I don’t mean
Pull the wires, fake the spark
I light the world while going dark
Say I’m brilliant, say I’m blessed
While I wear this fraud like Sunday’s best
You see a god, I see the cost
I build for you but I am lost

You hand me stars, I eat the flame
Bleed brilliance just to stay in frame
I quote gods I barely know
And pray the code don’t overflow
You see a mind a polished thing
But it’s a room that’s caving in
Each nod from you’s a sharpened hook
I burn the pages just fake the book

My heart’s a glitch, my brain’s on fire
Still I chase your cold desire

Grind me down to match your dream
Make me scream what I don’t mean
Pull the wires, fake the spark
I light the world while going dark
Crown me false, bless my lie
Just don't ask how or why
You see results, you see control
But you don’t know what this has sold

I slept in slideshows
I choked on terms
I broke my spine
To make you learn
I plagiarized the stars for you
I hollowed out my brain
Brand new

Grind me down to match your dream
Make me scream what I don’t mean
I break myself on every line
To give you proof that I’m divine
You build me high, I fake the climb
I pass for real until I die
I’m brilliance bent, I’m precious pent
I make it look like no regret

You think I’m one of you.
But I’m just
Barely
Passing.