Playin d**d

[intro] “If I hold real still, he can’t see me. But if he do… I just play d**d like Mama taught.” [Verse 1] Hide behind the dresser, hold my breath Game called “Don’t Blink or You Might Meet Death” Got a doll with stitches, name her Grace She whisper secrets in a burlap face Papa gone but his boots still walk He don’t knock now—just hum and stalk Mama say hush when the pipes all creak But I hear him breathin’ when I try to sleep Made a fort outta bone and sheets Drew a door that bleeds when the thunder beats Taught myself how to play pretend But pretend don’t work when he round the bend [chorus] Playin’ d**d, don’t make a sound Even when the hands come diggin’ in the ground Hold real still, don’t whimper, don’t cry If he thinks you gone, he might walk by Playin’ d**d, like the possums do Like Sister did when he split her in two This ain’t no game, it’s how we survive Just close your eyes and forget you alive [Verse 2] Drawn a map in crayon b***d Of every spot where the screams got stuck I don’t got toys, I got charms and ash And I feed ‘em bread from my hidden stash Auntie came once with a Bible bright Left it here, now it screams at night Tried to run, but the woods just spin Like the trees wanna teach you sin Brother got quiet, real still, real fast Now he hums when the killer walk past He say “Burlap’s fair, he only take” But I think he lie just to feel less fake [chorus] Playin’ d**d, don’t make a sound Even when the hands come diggin’ in the ground Hold real still, don’t whimper, don’t cry If he thinks you gone, he might walk by Playin’ d**d, like the possums do Like Sister did when he split her in two This ain’t no game, it’s how we survive Just close your eyes and forget you alive [Outro] “I heard him say I was his favorite. I don’t know why. I ain’t even done nothin’ yet.” {outro] “Little heart beatin’ like a rabbit drum…” “Tucked in tight ‘til the silence come…” “You play d**d good, but I still see…” “One day you’ll wear the sack, just like me.”