i'd be lying if I said I was completely unscathed

I might be proving you right with my silence or my retaliation

would I be letting you win in my non reaction?

how would I explain?

how would I explain this to my children if I had them?

because I can't not

because I can't not

because I can't afford to be misread one more time

would I be whining if I said I needed a hug?

would you feel slighted if I said your love's not enough?

how can I complain?

how can I complain when i'm the one who reaches for it?

because I can't not

because I can't not

because I cannot walk without my crutches

because I can't not

because I can't not

because I can't help wonder why you ask me

to all the unheard wisdom in the schoolyard

you think you're the right ones

you think you're the charmed ones i'm sure

how can you go on with such conviction?

and who do you think you are why do you question me?

because we can't not

because we can't not

because we can't help laugh at underestimations

because we can't not

because we can't not

because we can't afford to be misled one more time

because we can't not

because we can't not

because we cannot help without your willingness

why do you affect me? why do you affect me still?

why do you hinder me? why do you hinder me still?

why do you unnerve? why do you unnerve me still?

why do you trigger me? why do you trigger me still?