The Courage To Feel

I tried to act like nothing changed

Like everything's still under control

I told myself it was just a phase

That feelings come and go

But every time you say my name

My balance slips just a little bit

Like something in me always knew

What I was scared to admit

I smile, I breathe, I carry on

Like nothing's out of place

But there's a quiet voice inside

Asking me to stay

I can't pretend I don't feel it

I've tried, but I can't lie

Every time you get closer

Something in me wants to stay

I can't pretend I don't feel it

I don't wanna hide

If it's fear or it's courage

I just let it be alive

I go back to the smallest moments

The ones no one ever sees

The way the silence changes shape

When you're right next to me

I tell myself to slow it down

Don't build castles in my mind

But it's hard to keep the distance

When my heart's already crossing the line

I try to call it something simple

Like it's just another day

But my defenses fall apart

Every time you smile my way

I can't pretend I don't feel it

It's past the point of no

It's not a promise, not a plan

Just something real that's starting to grow

I can't pretend I don't feel it

And I can't rewind

Something in me has shifted

And I'm not who I was last night

Maybe I don't need a name

Maybe I don't need to run

Something beautiful is happening

And I didn't see it coming

I can't pretend I don't feel it

Even when I try to be strong

It's not love spoken out loud yet

It's love learning where it belongs

I don't need answers right now

I just need to feel what's real

I can't pretend I don't feel it

I just need the courage to feel