The Echo (PTSD)

I thought it was over

I thought I was safe

Then something went quiet

And I was back in that place

I hear a sound

And my body knows

Before my mind can understand

Where it goes

A door slams shut My heartbeat jumps

For just one second I’m right back where it was

I look around

I’m here, I’m home

But something inside me

Says I’m not alone

I know it’s over

I know it’s gone

So why does my body

Still hold on?

IT’S THE ECHO

CALLING FROM THE PAST

I’M HERE IN THE PRESENT

BUT THE MEMORY HITS SO FAST

IT’S THE ECHO I CAN HEAR IT IN THE DARK

I KNOW I’M SAFE

BUT IT STILL KNOWS WHERE TO START THE ECHO

(the echo...) THE ECHO (the echo...) I CAN’T MAKE IT DISAPPEAR BUT

I’M HERE

I’M STILL HERE

AND RIGHT NOW

I’M SAFE HERE

Some nights I wake

Before I know why

Heart beating hard

Staring into the night

A dream fades out But the feeling stays My body remembers What

my mind can’t explain

I avoid certain places

Certain sounds

Certain words

Anything that takes me Back to what I’ve heard

People say, “It’s over” I know that they are right But knowing

I’m safe Doesn’t always stop the fight I know it’s over

I know it’s gone

So why does my body

Still hold on?

IT’S THE ECHO

CALLING FROM THE PAST

I’M HERE IN THE PRESENT BUT THE MEMORY HITS SO FAST

IT’S THE ECHO

I CAN HEAR IT IN THE DARK

I KNOW I’M SAFE

BUT IT STILL KNOWS WHERE TO START THE ECHO (the echo...) THE

ECHO (the echo...) I CAN’T MAKE IT DISAPPEAR BUT I’M HERE

I’M STILL HERE

AND RIGHT NOW

I’M SAFE HERE

Look around

Feel the floor

Take a breath I’m here once more

That was then

This is now

I don’t have to go back

I don’t have to go back

IT’S THE ECHO

BUT I’M NOT BACK THERE

I CAN HEAR IT BUT I’M BREATHING HERE

IT’S THE ECHO

AND IT MAY COME AGAIN

BUT I KNOW WHERE I AM

I KNOW WHO I AM THE ECHO

(the echo...) THE ECHO (the echo...) IT DOESN’T GET TO TAKE ME

I’M HERE I’M STILL HERE

AND RIGHT NOW

I’M SAFE HERE

The sound

is gone… (pause) I’m still here.