[Verse 1] Valerie, the sky would lose a shade without you But you walk like you don’t even know it’s blue Hands all stained in violet ink and coffee You smiled once, I died politely [Verse 2] You paint small worlds and never step inside them I trace your name on napkins, play pretend Every kindness feels like grace or punishment You call it sweet I call it silent [Chorus] And I don’t think you’ve ever really looked at me Not past the pleasantries, the echo of your empathy You don’t know the way I fall apart Every time you say my name like it’s a question mark Valerie God, I wish you needed me [Verse 3] Your skin like ghostlight in the morning Like snow you never asked to wear I watch the way you shrink from warmth Like love might burn if you got near [Bridge] I learned your footsteps better than my own I’ve memorized the laugh you loan to strangers You never meant to hollow out my hope But I swear, I swear, you’re a gentle danger [Chorus] And I don’t think you’ve ever really looked at me Just smiled like I was something safe and sweet You don’t know the way I hold my breath Waiting on a scrap of you, a second guess Valerie God, I wish you needed me [Outro] But I’ll just keep sitting in the second row Pretending every masterpiece is for me alone You’ll go on being beautiful and free And I’ll go on loving Valerie quietly
