Rip open my chest and take those ribs apart one by one
Peer within in the looming dark
Find the child sitting in a corner
All scales and amber eyes, frightened as a quail.

Once upon a time, it dreamt of love's warm touch
But now fears each kind word
Sorrow has it hollowed
Innocence has fallen upon its sword.

Oh dragon child, who has clipped your wings?
Why are there tears when it should be fire that you breathe?
Who has locked you in this ivory cage
To perish and wither in the endless dark?

"I am you." its voice is a raspy whisper
A part of me I had to kill
Yet it lived on through sheer will
What would I have been if only had I let it grow?

Oh my gods, it's such a struggle to be alive
Livin' a lie for decades without cease
It's like fighting without a hope for truce
What more do I have left to lose?

My father is cheating, and I want to kill him
I bite my tongue to keep this rage buried
Ash fills my mouth, bitter and peaty
I am so done with this hypocrisy.

Dragon child, break free from your bony shell
Take my place in this soulless realm
Be not afraid and unfurl your wings
Burn them down, burn all these false kings.

We will be one, you and me
Fly fearlessly in the high heavens
Let us live on the edge, in adrenaline
The world is ours to conquer.

~•~