I Came Back For You

She learned how to listen for footsteps

That never came down the hall

Counted the cracks in the ceiling

Learned not to ask at all

She wore her hope like a question

Held up to strangers’ eyes

Looking for proof in a passing face

That she was worth the time

She thought love was something you borrowed

Something you chased or earned

If she stayed quiet, stayed easy enough

Maybe someone would turn

She just wanted to be wanted

Wanted to be held like true

So she made up a future savior

And waited her whole life through

But the miracle wasn’t a stranger

Wasn’t someone new

It was me coming back through the years

Saying, I came back for you

She used to dream of an older woman

With kinder eyes and steadier hands

Who knew how the story unfolded

Who finally understood the plans

She’d say, "It’s not your fault, little one

You didn’t cause the ache"

But morning would come and the dream would fade

And the wanting would stay awake

She learned how to walk through the world

With her heart half-packed to leave

Every door felt like a promise

Every smile like relief

She just wanted to be wanted

Wanted to know she belonged

So she kept her eyes on the doorway

And learned how to be strong

But the arms she was always reaching for

Were already coming through

It was me coming back through the years

Saying, I came back for you

Now I feel her when the night gets quiet

When the old fear starts to rise

And I don’t send her away anymore

I don’t tell her to survive

I sit down right there beside her

On that worn-out bedroom floor

I hold her like time never broke us

Like she’s not alone anymore

You don’t have to be wanted

You never had to prove a thing

You were always enough, little one

Before you learned suffering

I’m not leaving, I’m not distracted

I know what you’ve been through

I’m here, I’m yours, I’m staying now

I came back for you

So rest your head, the search is over

You don’t have to look outside

The love you waited your whole life for

Was walking toward you all this time