No Time to Cry

Mama used to say, “Boy, hold the line, Life don’t stop when it takes what’s mine.” The phone rang once, then went real quiet, I knew that sound — I didn’t fight it.

I stood there staring at a cracked wall clock, Second hand moving like it always does. World kept spinning, same old lie, Like nothing happened on the other side.

I folded my fear like a worn-out map, Put it in my pocket, didn’t unpack.

Ain’t no time to cry, Sun’s still high. Bills on the table, dust in my eyes. I tipped my hat, swallowed it dry, I’ll grieve later — ain’t no time to cry.

There’s a shovel leaning by the barn, Same damn one since Daddy’s gone. Wooden handle, splintered grain, Knows the weight of honest pain.

Neighbors talk in careful tones, Like words won’t crack old bones. They mean well, I don’t deny, But sympathy don’t slow goodbye.

I learned early, standing tall, Don’t make it hurt any less to fall.

Ain’t no time to cry, Road don’t care. Pain don’t pause just ’cause life ain’t fair. I clenched my jaw, stared at the sky, Ain’t no time to cry.

They say, “Let it out, don’t hold it in,” But tears are heavy — they pull you under. I’ve got miles left, a load to haul, Can’t drown right now, can’t answer the call.

Grief’ll wait if you don’t feed it first, It’ll sit in the dark, patient and cursed. It knows my name, it knows my face, It’ll catch me later — give me space.

There’s work to do, a line to hold, Promises made I ain’t letting go. This world don’t bend for broken men, So I straighten up and step back in.

Ain’t no time to cry, Not today. I’ll feel it all some other way. Till then I walk, head held high, Ain’t no time to cry.

Find this song on YouTube