Flinch

(album: Under Rug Swept - 2002)

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 have 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

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