Iron Will, Horse Heart

[Verse 1]
The feed sacks stood empty, a hollow hum in the barn,
Felt like a piston seizing, right there in my arm.
This decision, heavy as a slag pile, cold and stark,
Left a grinding gear turning, deep inside the dark.

[Chorus]
Iron will, horse heart, a promise I couldn't keep,
Watched him walk away, through the smoke and frost so deep.
A silent hum where laughter used to fill the air,
Just the echo of his hooves, a weight I have to bear.

[Verse 2]
Remembered a foal, all legs and clumsy grace,
Through Perm winters, with the frost on his face.
He grew strong, like a well-forged tool, true and keen,
Pulled the timber, steady, silent, a working machine.

[Bridge]
A factory man knows when the gears won't catch,
Some tough choices, there ain't no simple latch.
Just the grind of the day, and a tightening belt,
A silent weight, the kind a man has always felt.

[Outro]
Just the quiet hum now, where his breath used to fill,
Another memory forged, on the window, cold and still.