Cityboi

xeom boi

He keeps his collar up on the late night train,

Phone in his hand like a paper frame

Headphones on but the volume low,

Reading every message twice in a row

Friends all say he is doing just fine,

Posting little jokes, standing in a straight line

But under all the neon and the noise outside

There is a quiet heart he is trying to hide

 

He acts like he is used to every crowded place,

Still counts his breaths before he shows his face

 

What a strange little soft-hearted boy in the city,

Walking through the crosswalk lights like it is pretty

Trying to look calm, hands deep in his coat,

Carrying a thousand unsent notes

Everyone sees only streets and stone,

He is busy turning every corner into home

If you stand close you can almost hear

All the little feelings he is holding near

 

He buys his coffee at the same small stand,

Knows the barista but not her plans

Thinks about asking how her day has been,

Swallows the words with the heat and the steam

When he falls for someone he walks three blocks more,

Just to pass the building with the rusted door

He never says much, only sends a song,

Hoping they notice that the lyrics feel strong

 

He laughs at himself for being this shy,

Still checks his phone like the time is a sign

 

What a strange little soft-hearted boy in the city,

Walking through the crosswalk lights like it is pretty

Trying to look calm, hands deep in his coat,

Carrying a thousand unsent notes

Everyone sees only streets and stone,

He is busy turning every corner into home

If you stand close you can almost hear

All the little feelings he is holding near

 

One day maybe someone will match his pace,

Read all the lines he never says to their face

Wait with him under one red light too long,

Turn his careful silence into a song

Till then he is tracing every glowing sign,

Saving up courage one small step at a time

In a loud bright world that moves too fast,

He is a gentle boy hoping this soft heart lasts

 

What a strange little soft-hearted boy in the city,

Trying to live quietly in a world so busy

Acting like the noise does not get in his head,

Writing secret poems on the way to bed

Everyone sees only streets and stone,

He keeps learning how to feel and not feel alone

If you walk beside him you might find too

There is a softer city waiting inside you