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 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 school yard
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 me? why do you unnerve me still?
why do you trigger me? why do you trigger me still?