The List Can Wait

[Verse 1]
The school form’s folded in my coat
The sink is full, the kettle’s cold
A message says the rent is due
And three more things are waiting too
I write a list beside the bread
Then lose the list beneath the mail
You ask me if I’m doing fine
I say, “Just give me one more minute”

[Pre-Chorus]
One call, one chore, one promise made
The day keeps adding to the page
I try to hold the whole thing still
But something’s slipping from my hands

[Chorus]
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
With every name and every need
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
But there’s no room left to breathe
If I can’t carry all of it
Please stay a little while with me
I’m trying to keep up
I’m trying to keep up

[Verse 2]
The laundry’s waiting by the stairs
Your lunch is packed, the bills are there
The car needs gas, the dog needs out
I nod along and swallow doubt
I answer everyone I can
Then miss the one I meant to call
I’m not ignoring what you need
I’m just one person after all

[Pre-Chorus]
One call, one chore, one promise made
The day keeps adding to the page
I try to hold the whole thing still
But something’s slipping from my hands

[Chorus]
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
With every name and every need
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
But there’s no room left to breathe
If I can’t carry all of it
Please stay a little while with me
I’m trying to keep up
I’m trying to keep up

[Bridge]
Let the dishes wait till morning
Let the unanswered messages lie
I can sit here on the kitchen floor
And let one honest breath arrive
You don’t have to fix the whole world
You don’t have to make it all okay
Just take this list from my tired hands
And help me cross off today

[Half-Time Breakdown]
Not every need is mine to meet
Not every clock can set my pace
I can ask for help out loud
I can leave a little space

[Final Chorus]
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
With every name and every need
I’m trying to keep up, trying to keep up
But now I’m letting someone help me breathe
If I can’t carry all of it
You’ll take a little piece with me
I’m trying to keep up
But I don’t have to do it all alone

[Outro]
The list can wait beside the bread
Stay here with me instead