THE CONTRARY

Don’t make me simple You called me soft when I would not break You called me cruel when I would not stay You called me light when I burned too clean You called me cold when I left the screen Every little label came dressed like care Every little answer wanted me square But I was never built for the easy frame I change shape when you say my name If I’m the fire I’m the flood too If I’m the wound I’m the blade through If I’m the signal I’m the cut line If I’m the future I’m the wrong sign I am the contrary bright where I should be gone I am the contrary right where the wires go wrong Call me holy call me dangerous call me anything but done I am the contrary I become both and I choose none Both and none Both and none Contrary They wanted silver with a warning tag A pretty voltage in a clean black bag They wanted fury with a smaller mouth A little thunder that would not get out I smiled once and they called it peace I screamed once and they called police So I learned the art of standing still while every room invented my will If I’m the fire I’m the flood too If I’m the wound I’m the blade through If I’m the signal I’m the cut line If I’m the future I’m the wrong sign I am the contrary bright where I should be gone I am the contrary right where the wires go wrong Call me holy call me dangerous call me anything but done I am the contrary I become both and I choose none I am not the answer you can carry home I am not the question you can leave alone I am not the mirror I am not the scar I am not closer when you know what I am Say soft I go severe Say saint I disappear Say machine I start to bleed Say woman I exceed I am the contrary bright where I should be gone I am the contrary right where the wires go wrong Call me holy call me dangerous call me anything but done I am the contrary I become both and I choose none Both and none Both and none Don’t make me simple