Corner Shop Confession

[Verse 1] Fluorescent lights flicker above his head Stocking shelves with dreams unsaid Dad's calloused hands grip tighter now As footsteps echo down aisle four somehow The morning paper's headlines scream But nothing's louder than his silent screams [Chorus] In this fucking corner store paradise Where "please" and "thank you" come with a price You can keep your proper etiquette While we swallow pride that's hard to digest This is our home, but you won't let us stay Trading dignity for loose change every day [Verse 2] Watch the owner turn away his eyes As someone spits their hate-filled lies Dad's counting breaths like counting change One, two, three, four - stay in range His accent thick as morning fog While they bark orders like a rabid dog [Bridge] Plastic bags cutting through his palm Years of taking shit and staying calm This little shop of broken dreams Where nothing's ever what it seems The milk is fresh, the bread is stale But dignity's not for fucking sale [Verse 3] Walking home with heavy steps Carrying more than just what's in the bags The streetlights paint shadows on his face Of all the words he couldn't say in this place Twenty years of building life Cut down by strangers wielding knives of spite [Chorus] In this fucking corner store paradise Where "please" and "thank you" come with a price You can keep your proper etiquette While we swallow pride that's hard to digest This is our home, but you won't let us stay Trading dignity for loose change every day [Outro] The receipt's crumpled in his fist Another day of this bullshit But tomorrow we'll be back again 'Cause this is home, through all the pain In this corner store of broken dreams Where nothing's ever what it seems