Hunger Wears My Face

# HUNGER WEARS MY FACE

[Intro — whispered]
The table doesn’t know my name.
My hand still knows the way.

[Verse 1]
I watch him shake as he bets on red.
“He doesn’t know when to quit,” I say.
I’ve got a system. I plan ahead.
I know how to lose. I know how to wait.

I keep one win like a holy relic. 
Ten losses vanish when I explain. 
If my number hits, the credit’s mine.
If not, the table owes me a break.

[Chorus]
I need to get back to zero.
Put everything back in place.
Before they see the hole I’ve dug
In the home I swore was safe.
I’ll win it baaack, then I’ll quit.
I swear it every time I play.
The table never sleeps.
And the hunger wears my face.

[Verse 2]
I sleep on my side, my eyes on the door.
Each time the phone rings, I rehearse what to say.
I carry a number behind my eyes.
It keeps getting bigger when I look away.

I hide the bill underneath my plate.
“Don’t worry. My pay’s just running late.” 
My son is talking. My mind’s at the table.
I tell him yes. I don’t know what he asked.

[Chorus]
I need to get back to zero.
Put everything back in place.
Before they see the hole I’ve dug
In the home I swore was safe.
I’ll win it baaack, then I’ll quit.
I swear it every time I play.
The table never sleeps.
And the hunger wears my face.

[Verse 3]
The key I carry opens nothing now.
I don’t say “I lost.” I say “I’ll be back.”
I ask for a loan in the same calm voice.
“I’ll pay you on Monday.” I don’t know how.

Someone tells me, “This is killing you.”
I lash out because they’ve seen through me.
I need this table to absolve me,
So all I left behind still counts for something.

[Breakdown]
If I win, that proves me right.
If I lose, I’m not done yet.

I’m not gambling.
I’m making things right.

I’ll win it back, then I’ll quit.
I’ll win it back, then I’ll quit.

[Final Chorus]
I need to get back to zero.
Put everything back in place.
Before they see the hole I’ve dug
In the home I swore was safe.
I’ll win it baaack, then I’ll quit.
I swear it every time I play.
The table never sleeps.
And the hunger wears my face.

[Outro — whispered]
It lands on zero.
I don’t get up.