In the Cold

I made a home here in unsteady things
It was hard to think that I could ever leave
So, I gave my breath each time she couldn't breathe on her own
I felt her scars and asked her nervously
Who was the thief that stole your certainty?
She didn't know, she lost it sometime long ago
I've fought so long, it's what I do
My fists are fine, it's just my soul's a little bruised
But I'll stay on my feet until I lose
But I never learned to lose

It's hard to know me
At least you tried
It's hard to love in the cold
And it's gotten so cold outside

My younger years went by so urgently
And left me grief that I'm still servicing
If good times change, why do the bad days stick around?
She said
"I'll just keep going to be kind
To that same little girl who wondered why her parents cried
'Cause she grew up and learned to lie like them
I've tried to lie to you
But, boy, you listen to me with your eyes as well"

And it's hard to see me
At least you tried
It's hard to love in the cold
And it's gotten so cold outside

Farewell, my uncle
Farewell, his son
Farewell, the pieces
They're all I was
Will you stay with me
As I turn to dust?
When you tell their story
Tell them I was loved

So now you see me
For the first time
It's hard to love in the cold
But, boy, it's time I tried