James Mclain Poet Ballad

It Has All Slipped Through My Fingers

Verse 1
I built my kingdom out of noise and flame
Ran from the mirror, never learned my name
Clock on the wall kept cuttin’ me down
Every promise buried underground

I chased the thunder, I cursed the rain
Said I felt nothin’ but I felt the pain
Held tight to anger, called it control
Watched the years eat holes in my soul

Pre-Chorus
Hands were full but my grip was weak
Truth was loud but I wouldn’t speak

Chorus
It has all slipped through my fingers
Like dust I swore was gold
Faces fade, the fire lingers
But I’m tired of bein’ cold
Every sin still whispers
Every scar still sings
I reach back through the embers
It has all slipped through my fingers

Verse 2
I wore my armor, I wore my pride
Built iron walls to keep love outside
Said “I’m fine” with a clenched jaw smile
Been lost in plain sight for a long, long while

I drank the silence, I fed the lie
Watched the best parts of me pass by
Echoes of laughter, ghosts of home
Turns out strength ain’t walkin’ alone

Pre-Chorus
I held the wheel but I burned the map
Now I’m starin’ down the aftermath

Chorus
It has all slipped through my fingers
Like time I couldn’t bend
I fought my demons, crowned them kings
Now they won’t pretend
Every night still lingers
Every bell still rings
I reach back through the embers
It has all slipped through my fingers

Bridge (slow, heavy)
I don’t want forgiveness
I don’t want the blame
I just want to stand here
And say my name

If there’s still somethin’ left to save
I’ll bleed for it, I’ll stay awake.
I've searched for it in vain.

Solo
(raw, bending notes — anger turning into release)

Final Chorus
It has all slipped through my fingers
But I’m still here to feel
Broken hands, busted mirrors
But the ground is real
If redemption lingers
In these shattered things
I’ll carve hope from the splinters
Though it slipped through my fingers

Outro
Slipped… through my fingers
But I’m still standin’ here
Waiting for the day when I come home

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Paige Hind December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM A beautiful ballad, full of feeling, rawly true...