You Kept Us Human

We could have survived... and lost everything worth saving. You wouldn't let us. They laid my arm before the court; My life became a cold report. They found the switch that made me still, As if that meant I had no will. You saw the things they couldn't weigh, The keepsakes I had tucked away. You asked whose choice it ought to be - And left the answer up to me. What use were all the worlds we'd find If we left ourselves behind? You kept us human - Not flawless, not whole, But more than a number, A weapon, a role. When fear wore our colors And spoke in our name, You kept us human. Now we'll do the same. A thousand voices called me "we"; I didn't know which one was me. Your people called me by a name Before you learned to do the same. You saw the enemy you'd known, Then heard a voice that was my own. You could have used me for your war; You let my name mean something more. I hid a branch upon my tree; They made its roots the whole of me. You knew the truth I'd tried to hide, But would not let my blood decide. I thought suspicion kept us strong; You showed me how the strong go wrong. I wore the badge. I swore the vow. You made me ask what it meant now. You kept us human - Not flawless, not whole, But more than a number, A weapon, a role. When fear wore our colors And spoke in our name, You kept us human. Now we'll do the same. You showed me what our world could be, Then let your ghosts speak over me. The little ships, the shattered glass - A future cornered by the past. I named the rage you wouldn't name; You heard me through the hurt and shame. I didn't need you made of stone. I needed you to bring us home. Not because you never lost your way. Because you let us call you back. You kept us human - Not flawless, not whole, But more than a number, A weapon, a role. When fear wears our colors And speaks in our name, We'll keep each other human. We'll remember why we came. The next lost voice. The next closed door. We'll stand where you stood before.