When I dream, I picture myself walking long, long halls
The sun has set, everyone I love is safe, every door I come to is closed
They tell us broken boys are beautiful, they will be mended with gold
Touch their scars like ribbons, they are as soft as me on a bad day
My feet make no sound, my breath is silent, in – out – slow
My hands are heavy, I carry more than I can bear, there is the smell of smoke in the air
They tell us broken girls are easy targets, better dancers, try a little harder
They tell us broken girls grow up to be mothers, slaves to one power or another
I reach a crossroads, the sun is rising in the east, a shadow stands behind me
I could turn to face it, I could turn to see a mirror, I could raise my heavy hands
They tell us broken boys grow up to be lovers, or die while they are still pretty
They tell us broken girls never grow up to be women, stay fractured, never whole
I start running, I hear footsteps behind me, slow but gaining ground
I shake my fists, I am too heavy, the halls go on and on and on and on and on
credits
from Hope is an Animal,
released April 30, 2021
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Oliver Cobb.
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