ready to drown

I wrote this song several years ago, during another period of housing and food insecurity. The way people talked about my problems was minimizing and insulting, as if my unemployment was another unprocessed trauma or unlovely mental illness. As if I was choosing to struggle. As if I had all the tools I needed to fix my situation, but was deciding to wallow instead. They would say patronizing things about what kind and helpful friends they are, but that I was too stubborn to be helped. They would talk about how they were waiting to see if I would sink or swim.
this song is for all of them.
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lyrics:
You’re chum in the water the way you flap around and we’ve all been placing bets on when you’ll drown
Some say you’re a fighter when it’s sink you’ll swim and some, they drag you down and pull you in
And you’re feeling mighty brave
But then you see that wave and
Are they dragging you down, are they lifting you up?
Are they ready to drown, are they not giving up?
As they’re floating above, do they reach out a hand?
Are they ready to drown, are they ready to drown?
Somehow you’re still breathing, an oversight at best since you jumped in headfirst without a vest
You tried to be fearless you said you would be bold and boldness only counts when you grow old
And you’re feeling mighty brave
But then you see that wave and
Are they dragging you down, are they lifting you up?
Are they ready to drown, are they not giving up?
As they’re floating above, do they reach out a hand?
Are they ready to drown, are they ready to drown?
You thought you could rise above it but the swell that lifts you up will take you
Down down down, it takes you down down down
You thought you’re a strong swimmer you’re a ribbon winner but you’re going
Down down down, you're going down down down
Are you ready to drown?
Are you ready to drown drown drown?
Are you ready to drown?
Are you ready to drown drown drown drown?
Down down down, you're going down down down
Are you ready to drown?