The Shield You're Trembling Behind

It's not your time yet,
And you're drinking your medicine
Drink it up until it kills you
And makes you cry in pain
Stop this foolishness
It's time to grow up
And face the world you've been running from
Your little girl is crying in her bed
Comfort her, it's just a dream
A child's nightmare
Kiss it away and go back to your book
The words are blurring
You're fading away to dark
Falling through the haze
Of the things you used to know
You're standing in the hallway
Staring at the little girl with the bleeding hands
Bring her into your arms
Kiss her wounds
Make them stop
Lightning flashes
She's crying
Make it stop
You're falling from the balcony
Dropping towards the ground
Your wings flap uselessly
Broken fields of feathers
The water below is red
And it's filling up your lungs
Choke it out
Fight to the top
The sand under your feet is burning
Grinding into your knees
Wipe it from your eyes
And pull yourself to your feet
Lightning cracks the sky
And she's crying
Pet your child's head
And whisper away her fears
Brace against the blast
She's exploding
And you're the target
Don't turn away
She needs you
But you're not here
You're off somewhere in your wonderland
Falling through your clouds
They can't hold you up any longer
Spread your wings and try to fly
And tell yourself
That you did your best
When you're falling past her
Grab out for the ledge
Your fingers scream at you
Pull yourself to the top
And lay there breathing
Gasping for a bit of peace
Lightning flashes
And she's screaming out your name
Fall to your knees
Ignore the flashes in your brain
Close your eyes and pull her close
Stop the confusion
Coursing through her little head
Tell her you're sorry
For the mistakes you've made
And the one's you've yet to make
She's holding onto you
Trembling
And you can't make it stop
Make it stop!
It's not your time yet
So drink your medication
And pump it through your veins
It'll all be better when it's done
Stretch out on your bed
And float out to sea
The sharks are swimming circles
Around your little boat
Look out for the lighthouse
And swim towards the light
The clouds are choking you
You hold her close
But they're pulling her from your arms
She slips away
And you're standing all alone
Looking around frantically
For the thing you once held
Lightning breaks the ground underneath your feet
And you're falling
Grinding against the rocks
That line your coffin's doors
Keep searching
The streets aren't as cold as you think
Your feet pound the pavement
Run faster or you'll be too late
You're too late
She's there, laying on the ground
Headlights pierce the haze
Your world explodes in pain
Your vision's red
It slams you down
And you try to stand
But your legs don't work
Drag yourself towards her
She's still breathing
But her eyes are closed
And yours close too
There's light beyond your eyelids
Open your eyes
And stare up at the passing lights
The nurse is speaking to you
But you can't hear her
Where is she?
You try to stand
But they hold you down
Doctor, this one's still alive
Warmth tingles through your arm
And everything goes numb
Your eyes flutter close
Wake up, it's time to wake up
You've got to open your eyes
Lilacs and daisies fill your mind
And bright lights fill your eyes
She's laying next to you
Curled up against your arm
Pet her hair and whisper her name
Your pretty blue-eyed girl looks at you
And then she falls away.
I'm sorry.
No one's told you yet?
She stopped breathing in the night.