Once in my life, as I recall, there was a time when time seemed timeless
A time in time I'd bide my time to find the vital signs in
This so-called "art form" guiding me to higher heights through hyping
Up the whys and what I'd write to justify the rhymes recited
It's not too far behind this day in time: a day that I
Forever remember the way that I pushed everything away to find
Nothing but a stage, a mic; a played out way to shape my life
From that point on, all that remainеd inside this brain of mine
Was just a major lie; a facе to hide behind the mask the pain resides
Layers of paint fade aging lines but aid creating, maybe time'll
Bring the truth when masterpieces finally fall into view
Gain the recognition that's been missing in this game we choose
To play, it moves too fast most days and nightfall seems to last for ages
Can't maintain; it's commonplace to ponder ways to get out, or take
Ourselves up out prematurely, melting down; seems the more we
Try, the more we fail; organize disorder, born to bail

Pale in comparison to variance and arrogance
"To care" equates "to deteriorate" these days... Ain't it American?
Only the strong survive, no room for helping hands; it's every man
For themselves; welcome back to Hell, no need to mention that
The fact--as does the pact--remains, the damage done; examples made
Chances to extrapolate have vanished and we'll have to take
Our final bow; time's run out, the time is now but that's okay
For once in my life, I'll let the stream of consciousness evaporate

That's the way it has to play. Is it true, the man who makes
The music isn't suited to advance this maze or drag away
Whatever it is we can to maybe better these incredibly
Daunting, haunting memories? Once in my life, well let me see
That's the way it has to play. Is it true, the man who makes
The music isn't suited to advance this maze or drag away
Whatever it is we can to maybe better these incredibly
Daunting, haunting memories? Once in my life (once in my life)

Once in my life, as I recall, there were the days when days seemed lifeless
And the night was nearly permanent turning away from light
Into the dark, embracing crisis, the facing of fate seemed frightening
Trying to reconfigure the big picture in limited lighting; suffice it
To say, I might have remained unable to write this
Or likely to stay contained in myself as it's safe in hiding
Redefining "introvert" socially awkward sinner smirking
Don't mind these little quirks or so-called offbeat inner workings
Still learning of self, delving into turbulent realms
Internal yearnings searching surface for some certainty spelled:
L-I-V-E, with the help of my friend's words
I was able to remain confident, honest and not descend worse
Further down the spiral; with a minor twist of irony
It turned out that a spiral became my biggest reliance
Need to write this down, type it out and try to get it right, it seems
Despite surrounding plight, I've found insights incite inside of me

Enabling my narrative, imperative to carry it
To where it may soon perish anyway... Ain't it hilarious?
Well probably not, but oddly I've been telling that at every chance
It sort of helps; welcome back to... well, no need to mention that
The fact--as does the past--remains; we can't retouch, go back or change it
Chances to elaborate have vanished and we'll have to take
Our final bow; time's run out, the time is now but that's okay
For once in my life, I'll let the stream of consciousness evaporate

That's the way it has to play. Is it true, the man who makes
The music isn't suited to advance this maze or drag away
Whatever it is we can to maybe better these incredibly
Daunting, haunting memories? Once in my life, well let me see
That's the way it has to play. Is it true, the man who makes
The music isn't suited to advance this maze or drag away
Whatever it is we can to maybe better these incredibly
Daunting, haunting memories? Once in my life