Yeah—
still feel it.

Knuckles still bruised from the things I defend
Not every habit breaks clean when it ends
I don’t call it falling back, I call it friction
Every line I cross taught me precision
Halo tilted, not gone
I don’t fake clean just to move on
I’ve been right with the wrong crowd
Still heard myself when it got loud

I don’t hide the damage
I just don’t let it steer
Some scars stay visible
That’s how I know I’m here

Knuckles still bruised
But I’m steady
Bad habits don’t own me
They remind me
I don’t shine clean
I glow ready
Knuckles still bruised
But I’m steady

I’ve made peace with the edge I walk
I don’t flirt with it, I talk
I’ve been close enough to lose grip
Far enough to know where the truth sits
I don’t glamorize the fall
I just don’t erase it all
Every dent in my control
Taught me how to hold it

I don’t need forgiveness
I need alignment
I don’t chase the clean look
I keep my timing

Knuckles still bruised (still)
But I’m steady
Bad habits don’t rule me
They remind me
I don’t shine clean
I glow ready
Knuckles still bruised
But I’m steady

Some lessons don’t leave marks
They leave awareness

Knuckles still bruised
I’m not hiding
If I walk careful now
It’s deciding
I don’t need perfect
I need ready
Knuckles still bruised
But I’m steady

Still standing.