Lies

I noticed

I waited

Now I'm done pretending

This is accidental

Everybody's steady when it's convenient

Everybody's distant when it's not

Same smile, same empty praise

Same fake respect from the same damn spot

"Proud of you" said real broad

Never tied to anything real

Specifics make people nervous

When their support isn't steel

I don't interrupt, I don't react

I let people talk long enough to show their cracks

Say it straight or don't say shit

I'm done decoding tone

If your words only work in private

Keep them the fuck at home

You don't have to like me

You don't have to like me

You don't have to agree

Just don't act surprised

When I see inconsistency

Sun shows up dressed as advice

Right when progress gains speed

"Just be careful, take your time"

Like fear suddenly learned how to speak

Nobody checked in during silence

But success draws commentary

Funny how comfort needs control

Once I stop asking for clarity

You don't want damage, you don't want blame

You just don't want the balance

Of the room to change, of the room to change

Say it straight or don't say shit

No spin, no disguise

Respect doesn't fluctuate

Based on who's winning tonight

I don't need approval

I don't need belief

I just remember patterns

You hope that missed

Alright

Now listen carefully

I hear the pause when I walk in

Sentences lose their spine

Confidence gets real fragile

When it's finally examined

You say my name indirectly

Like distance makes it safe

That's not restraint

That's fear with better grammar on its face

You don't hate confrontation

You hate exposure