Tenderness

I met you the year I stopped fearing my body

Sky split open above me

It was a pleasure to meet your pain

In my shadow you're a model of reason

Don't coddle, don't tease me

Don't wake a swarm of bees beneath me

Do, do, do you want tenderness?

Kiss your mouth for tenderness

Settle down for tenderness

I've been taught I should wait to be chosen

That I haven't known love

Until I've been destroyed by love

Certain men can smell a wound a room away

You are melancholy, well

Beauty only made you lonelier

Do, do, do you want tenderness?

Kiss your mouth for tenderness

Curse your name for tenderness

Do, do, do you want tenderness?

Tenderness, tenderness

Do, do, do you want tenderness?

Break a leg for tenderness

Walk away for tenderness

I left town, tucked myself into a mountain

Became something dark and hungry

Still the creek was muttering your name

Now your face half lit, electronic

You no longer need to speak your sentiments

I no longer perform innocence