10 years too long

Ten years, the calendar's mocking glare Since I felt your small hand, tangled in my hair Left you in that shadow, where the fear choked the air Every day, I've carried this silent prayer The taste of a goodbye, bitter and cold A child's broken promise, a story untold I watched the door shut, heard the lock click and hold You trapped inside that iron cage, losing your soul I got out, I survived the fray While you're still locked in yesterday But the waiting's done, the fear will fade away I'm finally strong enough to light your way Oh, it's been a decade, a lifetime of dread Since I held you close, a whisper in my head But the silence is broken, the path is now clear I'm coming to save you, to banish all fear This time, I promise, you're finally coming home From those abusive halls, you'll never again roam. I see your face in every passing crowd Hear the echoes of screams, though unspoken, loud I know the bruises hidden, the head bent and bowed The weight of their darkness, a shroud, a heavy cloud They stole your laughter, they dimmed your light Tried to break your spirit, through day and through night But a bond like ours, it burns ever so bright And now I'm returning, fueled by sheer might I've learned to fight, to stand tall and strong To right the terrible wrongs that have gone on too long The melody of freedom, a brand new song And where you belong, that's where I belong. Oh, it's been a decade, a lifetime of dread Since I held you close, a whisper in my head But the silence is broken, the path is now clear I'm coming to save you, to banish all fear This time, I promise, you're finally coming home From those abusive halls, you'll never again roadway to hell No more shadows, no more walls No more flinching from their calls I'll mend the fractures, stand through all the falls You're worth every risk, every fight, big or small That monster won't touch you, not ever again For you are my blood, my beginning, my end. Oh, it's been a decade, a lifetime of dread Since I held you close, a whisper in my head But the silence is broken, the path is now clear I'm coming to save you, to banish all fear This time, I promise, you're finally coming home From those abusive halls, you'll never again roam. Ten years... that's too long, too far away But I'm here now, to steal you from their sway Just one more night, then I'm there to stay You're coming home, I swear, starting today. You're coming home... After ten long years... You're coming home.