Turn It Into Lightning

Midnight— Wake up. Cold light on the dashboard, Red light on my face. Everybody's moving, I have stayed in place. Found a voice note from September, Played it at the traffic light. I was laughing like I meant it— God, I miss that sound tonight. I kept my thunder in a whisper, Kept my good shoes by the door. Told myself I'd start on Monday. I don't say that anymore. One breath— I can hear it. One step— Now I feel it. I'm already through the door. I won't wait there anymore. Turn it into lightning, Let the whole street shine. All the words I kept from leaving Finally sound like mine. Turn it into lightning, Feel the current run. I was waiting for a signal— I was always the one. Green light at the corner, I turn the other way. Take the road beside the river I was scared to take for years. Call the friend I left on read, Hear her laughing down the line. She says, "Where have you been hiding?" I say, "Getting back what's mine." Windows down, the air is colder, But my hands don't shake tonight. There's no thunder in the distance— There's a spark behind my eyes. One breath— Hear it coming. One step— Now I'm running. No more rehearsing who to be. The road is opening for me. Turn it into lightning, Let the whole street shine. All the words I kept from leaving Finally sound like mine. Turn it into lightning, Feel the current run. I was waiting for a signal— I was always the one. At the river I pull over, Hear the engine settle down. Play that old recording once more, Hear the girl inside the sound. She wasn't fearless. She was trying. And she never stopped believing I'd come back for her somehow. I'm here now. Turn it into lightning, Let the whole street shine. All the words I kept from leaving Finally sound like mine. Turn it into lightning, Feel the current run. I was waiting for a signal— I was always the one. I kept my thunder in a whisper. Now the whole sky knows my name. Wide awake.