Version of Me

I've been talking to the kid I used to be

He keeps staring back like "Why'd you leave me?"

I said "You ruined everything I tried to fix"

He said "I only did what I knew back then"

You were lost I was scared we both got burned

You taught me pain before I even learned

I used to curse your name like it was poison

But you were just broken and trying to avoid it

All the nights you cried with no one around

I was just a voice that you couldn't drown

I hated you for what you couldn't see

But maybe you were just protecting me

I keep meeting the version of me I tried to erase

He's standing in the rain can't wash him away

He says "I'm not your enemy I'm your truth"

And maybe that hurts cause it's you

I remember all those nights you didn't sleep

Thought the world would fall apart if you dared to dream

You carried shame like it was oxygen

And I still breathe it every now and then

You pushed people away cause you were scared to need

And I still do the same guess that's your seed

You weren't heartless you were just tired

Trying to hold your breath through the fire

I blamed you for everything I couldn't change

But maybe pain just needed a name

You weren't my downfall you were my start

Every scar you gave me became my heart

I keep meeting the version of me I tried to erase

He's standing in the rain can't wash him away

He says "I'm not your enemy I'm your truth"

And maybe that hurts cause it's you

Now I see you in the mirror sometimes

Still wearing all those ghosts inside your eyes

You weren't cruel you were just afraid

Trying to find light in your own shade

I used to run now I let you stay

Maybe healing means we both can pray

You don't haunt me now you just sit near

And somehow I don't feel fear

You were never meant to be erased

You were just a story I had to face

You made mistakes but you made me too