Rise Through the Shadows

Where I grew up,

every corner had a test,

Some days felt like the whole world pressed against my chest.

Mama said, “Keep walking.

Don’t let the hard days choose The kind of heart you carry

or the person you’ll become.” I’ve seen good kids lose their way

before they found their stride,

Heard the sirens after midnight,

watched the porch lights come alive.

I can’t pretend the road was easy,

can’t erase what I’ve been through,

But every morning I get up,

I get another chance to choose.

When the night gets loud and the road gets long,

I hold on tight to where I’m going.

Keep your head up,

keep your feet on the ground,

If the dark comes calling,

don’t let it pull you down.

One step, then another,

let the whole world see You can come from a hard place

and still become who you dream.

Keep your head up,

let your light come through— The road may be rough,

but it won’t decide for you.

I had friends who walked beside me till the roads began to

split, Had nights I almost gave up,

though I never spoke of it.

Then I’d think about the people who believed that I could rise,

And I’d take one more step forward with their voices in my

mind. Now the little ones are watching how I handle what comes

next. I want them to know you can be hurt and still

show tenderness.

You can ask somebody for help.

You can start again today.

And when you make it through the darkness,

you can help someone find their way.

When the night gets loud and the road gets long,

I hold on tight to where I’m going.

Keep your head up,

keep your feet on the ground,

If the dark comes calling,

don’t let it pull you down.

One step, then another,

let the whole world see You can come from a hard place

and still become who you dream.

Keep your head up,

let your light come through— The road may be rough,

but it won’t decide for you.

To the kid on the corner with a plan in your hand:

Take your time, keep learning,

find the ones who understand.

There’s more than one way forward; you don’t have to walk alone.

Let the love that got you this far help you find your

way home.

Keep your head up,

keep your feet on the ground,

If the dark comes calling,

don’t let it pull you down.

One step, then another,

let the whole world see You can come from a hard place

and still become who you dream.

Keep your head up,

let your light come through— The road may be rough,

but it won’t decide for you.

One step,

then another.

Keep your head up.

Keep going.