We were mid-fight, I had so much to say. But I knew if I pushed too hard, You’d just push away. So I held my breath, Bit my tongue, Waited it out Until you were done. When it was my turn to speak then You cut me off— No space to begin. You leaned in close and said, “If you love me… take it on the chin.” [Verse 2] That line hit harder than the rest. It wasn’t yelling— It was less. It was silence after shame, Where I sat still And took the blame. You dress it up Like strength, like care. But love that costs A voice ain’t fair. You only reach When I pull back— You never give, You just subtract. I wanted to tell you, Maybe you didn’t see how you act. If you knew, you might go back To being sweet— Like the man that won me. But that cleared it up: There’s no room for love. If I wanted to stay, I’d have to let you stray, Come back around every other day, Say “hey baby,” then walk away. And all that mess Was supposed to be okay. Like real love means Letting you have your way. ⸻ [Chorus] Take it on the chin— That’s what you said. Like hurt should sit Where I lay my head. Like I should bend So you don’t break. Like my voice Is your mistake. Take it on the chin, Like I ain’t got a heart. Like silence is love. Like pain’s just a part. You throw your weight, Then grin— And tell me, “Take it on the chin.” Why’d you ever think That would be okay? Like I’m just a place For your mess to stay. Like I ever came off As the type To bite my tongue And dim my light. To take it on the chin— Take it on the chin? Nah. Take a look within… Then look at me again. You trippin’, boy.
