Lyric

My name was already there

Before I crossed the light

A narrow space was waiting

With my shadow folded tight

They marked me with a quiet pen

They measured out my mouth

They gave me words to answer with

Before I knew the sound

I learned the shape they liked on me

I wore it without blame

My hands were placed before my chest

Could rise and call my name

I did not choose the angle

I did not draw the line

I only found my body there

A little after time

I was placed before I was ready

I was named before I was known

I kept still where they left me

With a pulse that was not home

I was given enough to stay there

Not enough to arrive

My seat was warm from someone else

And I was late to my life

They nodded like I fit the room

They smiled like I belonged

I learned to lower every need

Before it sounded wrong

The table held my quiet hands

The ceiling held its breath

I kept my voice in smaller rooms

And called the silence rest

I did not break the pattern

I only wore it thin

I sat inside the outline

But I never settled in

I was placed before I was ready

I was named before I was known

I kept still where they left me

With a pulse that was not home

I was given enough to stay there

Not enough to arrive

My seat was warm from someone else

And I was late to my life

No one had to push me

No one had to close the door

The shape was built around me

So I would not ask for more

If I looked almost grateful

If I made the hallway kind

It was only my reflection

Learning how to stand in line

I was placed before I was ready

I was named before I was known

I kept still where they left me

With a pulse that was not home

I was given enough to stay there

Not enough to arrive

My seat was warm from someone else

And I was late to my life

My name is still there somewhere

Under all the borrowed light

I leave it on the paper

And step back into my life