What's it been? Over a decade? It still smarts like it was four minutes ago We only influenced each other, totally We only bruised each other, even more so What are you, my blood? You touch me like you are my blood What are you, my dad? You affect me like you are my dad How long can a girl be shackled to you? And how long before my dignity is reclaimed? And how long can a girl stay haunted by you? Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name Where've you been? I heard you moved to my city My brother saw you somewhere downtown I'd be paralyzed if I ran into you My tongue would seize up if we were to meet again What are you, my God? You touch me like you are my God What are you, my twin? You affect me like you are my twin How long can a girl be tortured by you? And how long before my dignity is reclaimed? And how long can a girl be haunted by you? Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name So here I am, one room away from where I know you're standing A well-intentioned man told me you just walked in This man knows not of how this information has affected me But he knows the color of the car I just drove away in What are you, my kin? You touch me like you are my kin What are you, my air? You affect me like you are my air And how long can a girl be tortured by you? And how long before my dignity is reclaimed? And how long can a girl be haunted by you? Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
