Lyric

You set a glass of water down

Beside my shaking hand

You never asked for reasons

I could barely understand

The kitchen light stayed gentle

The chair was pulled for me

You made the room feel open

I made it hard to breathe

You made it easy

I made it hard

You left me room

I stayed on guard

You did not raise your voice

You did not turn away

You only said take your time

Like time could make me stay

I wished you would be angry

Give me something I could fight

But mercy sat between us

Soft and terrible and bright

It was kindness

I could not answer

Warm in your hands

Cold in my chest

It was kindness

I could not answer

You gave me your quiet

I gave you less

Your kindness did not wound me

That would be easier to say

What hurt was what I could not give

And what I let decay

There are gentle ways of leaving

That still break a faithful heart

You kept the door from closing

I kept standing apart

It was kindness

I could not answer

Still on the table

After I withdrew

It was kindness

I could not answer

You stayed human

I stayed untrue

The water lost its warmth

The chair stayed where it was

You never made me guilty

I did that on my own