a man on stage with a microphone and a fake smile

i am the manipulator of myself and consequently you, for a while

as long as you choose to listen and as long as you choose to stay

hear the screams of my soul as my lungs pour out and sing

what i claim to enjoy is exactly what i hate

and what i call out to be fake is my heart quenching its ache

an ache to be noticed and a desire to be admired

go ahead and breathe on my coals and watch me burn your entire

i admit this is me, oh God who shines

and You tell me "this was you, until I came just in time"

now i know who i was because of who You are

merciful and mighty to have  held me in Your arms