Stone Hearts [XII]

Yo, I seen how Time cold hand erased old coin, Gold crowns and stone thrones bitten by dust. How high-rises trip and brass darkens with more dreams chased off the block. Even if forever was a price. I seen how the tide chews at the edge, how castles made of sand melt into the sea and pulled back streets holdin' they ground but then givin' it up, too, eventually— Earth and water in quiet war, Loss traded for loss— Walked a sea change deep churn— Strong things rot— Truth slips from hips; Lesson sharp as bone: That time gon' take my love away, too. Thoughts heavy as a funeral home, Mournin' what lives, knowin' it can't stay. Old bars I dropped ring hollow now, Even the lies swearin' I could've loved you a lot more— Back then I couldn't see how the fire keeps burnin' in the ashes. Time—silent thief, patient— Fades vows, dulls iron wills, Proves even stone hearts bend. So why, knowin' the clock's teeranny, Couldn't I say, "Right now is enough"? When it was also true all I knew was in flux, feelin' heat of the now, Refusin' tomorrow its claim? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? Yo, wasn't runnin' to no finish line— But that fade pulled up, slowed me down Me and that long drum breathin deep, but somethin' endless made the rest thin as skins. No rush left, no clock to beat Dropped my sticks in the street, Let the pull take me—quiet nod, Peace in the fall, heartbeat slow. Felt echoes of the playground— Quick moves, laughter, hustle, Then the long harvest stretch, Light dipping low on old promises slept. Or maybe it was my sight shiftin', Colors peeled back, truth in cold mist; Shield gone, soul bare— No maze left, just the center. Time—silent thief, patient— Fades vows, dulls iron wills, Proves even stone hearts mend. So why, knowin' the clock's teeranny Couldn't I say, "Right now is enough"? When it was also true all I knew was in flux, feelin' heat of the now, Refusin' tomorrow its claim? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? love's seed, hot breath still risin'. how caged is what's still reachin' light? We eased into that last low, Breth held, the beat let go; Quiet ground, where roots settle, Earth's weight, silence flowin'. Since first light, lies scorched the land wide and red—truth could maybe start it all at again, and our atoms paths go on forever. Space marks a coast, But here I stand, breth warm, heartbeat slow. Still watched by the clock in the corner But love, man—it gonna reach for light, still grow. Time—silent thief, patient— Fades vows, dulls iron wills, Proves even stone hearts sand. So why, knowin' the clock's teeranny Wouldn't I just say, "Right now is enough; and it'll go on." and on and on...