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You said you'd be there at the end

The doubt creeps in again

I could have sworn I've heard those words before

Now, a missive of my flaws

And though I'm trying hard

The version of me known by you is strong

Thrall to my mind

'Cause it's not a lack of faith or pride

But something broken deep inside

Fall to the sword

Lest you face the slings and dogs of war

That only aim to batter at your doors

But the show must go on

Words fly but gain no ground

I'll wear my heart on my sleeve for now

Stolen valour worth my weight in gold

But to pay the piper I've spent it all

Navigating through disaster

Only then I'll have the chance to say

I'm worth my salt

Tethered to the unseen masters

Grasping chains of all my past mistakes

I'm worth my salt

Then like clockwork, you'll return

The kinship that was burned

Was not the source of pain afflicting you

Casting dignity aside

With hindsight as your guide

You push the olive branch right through my palm

Fuel for the fire

Splintered kindling of my agency

There's nothing truly broken inside me

But the road goes ever on

Words fly but gain no ground

I'll wear my heart on my sleeve for now

Stolen valour worth my weight in gold

But to pay the piper I've spent it all

Navigating through disaster

Only then I'll have the chance to say

I'm worth my salt

Tethered to the unseen masters

Grasping chains of all my past mistakes

I'm worth my salt

I've lacked the will to be

An advocate for me

Against the grain of my intent

The cycle will begin again

But I can't dwell on what won't change

I will walk this road again

Words fly but gain no ground

I'll wear my heart on my sleeve for now

Stolen valour worth my weight in gold

But to pay the piper I've spent it all

Navigating through disaster

Only then I'll have the chance to say

I'm worth my salt

Tethered to the unseen masters

Grasping chains of all my past mistakes

I'm worth my salt

I've lacked the will to be

An advocate for me

I've lacked the strength to say

I'm worth my salt

But that all ends today

Though waters churn unseen

I'm worth my salt

Your conscience can be clean