Girl with Teeth

INTRO — 5/4
The mirror doesn't lie
It shows me every place I learned to fold
like a crane 
so I didn't take up space
I practice saying my own name
without an accent from across the Pacific
LISTEN
Dont I sound like I belong?

VERSE 1 — 7/8 (2+2+3)
I learned to speak like they do in Echo Park
so no one asks where I'm "really from"
At the family table I pass the rice
and hold my tongue
like it's expected of me.
They talk over me with condescension 
and I nod like it doesn’t bruise.
NO.
I scroll old texts from her in the dark
and watch my reflection
pretend it’s not mine.

PRE — 7/8 (3+2+2)
I’m tired of translating my face
for strangers on sidewalks.
I’m tired of softening my voice
so a man feels tall.
GOD.
I’m tired of being the token
minority in any room
I breathe in
But

CHORUS — 11/8 (3+3+3+2)
I’m not powerful
in spite of it,
I’m powerful
because of it!

I’m a girl with teeth,
I’m a girl with hands,
I’m a girl who loves girls
and doesn’t offer an apology

HEY!
Say it wrong again
and watch me turn.


VERSE 2 — 7/8 (2+2+3)
On the B Line a guy says “exotic”
like he’s paying me a compliment.
I picture throwing him
from the fucking train
and I don’t smile.
AGAIN.
I’ve been the quiet daughter,
the good student,
the “not that kind” of gay
they can tolerate at brunch.
I’ve been the soft answer
to a hard question
they never deserved.

PRE 2 — 7/8 (3+2+2)
Tonight I stop saying “maybe”
when I mean “no.”
Tonight I stop editing
my laugh into something small.
LISTEN.
I’m not your lesson.
I’m not your toy.
I’m not your
before-and-after.
So.

CHORUS — 11/8 (3+3+3+2)
I’m not powerful
in spite of it,
I’m powerful
because of it!

I’m a girl with teeth,
I’m a girl with plans,
I’m a girl who loves girls
and doesn’t break easy.

HEY!
Say it wrong again
and watch me burn.

BRIDGE / LIFT — 13/8 (3+3+3+2+2) 
Call me “too much”
and I’ll turn it up.
Call me “confused”
and I’ll lock it in.
Call me “sweet”
and I’ll bite the word
right off your fucking tongue.
GO!
My body is not a compromise,
my face is not an invitation,
my love is not a privilege
you can rip away


BREAK / DROP — 5/4 

STOP.
You hear my breath now.
You hear the space I used to fill with “sorry.”
My hands are steady.
My eyes don’t look away.
YEAH.
I don’t need permission
to exist at full volume.

FINAL CHORUS — 11/8 (3+3+3+2) 
I’m not powerful
in spite of it,
I’m powerful
because of it!

I’m a girl with fire,
I’m a girl with scars,
I’m a girl who loves girls
and wants it loud.

HEY!
Say it wrong again
and watch me blaze.

OUTRO — 7/8 (2+2+3) 
I take up space in the doorway.
I take up space in the mirror.
I take up space in conversation
and I don’t fix it.
AGAIN.
Not “tolerate,” not “allow,”
not “as long as”, not an afterthought

I’m a woman.
I'm shin-issei.
I'm a girl who loves girls.
And I'm not going anywhere.