The White Lady Thinks I’m a Bird

[Verse 1] She stands in the square glass Warm hands on the cold frame Hair like midday sun on snow Eyes wide Searching our houses She moves her lips to shadows Speaking names she doesn’t know Her words fog up the window Like breath on frozen stone [Chorus] The white lady thinks I’m a bird She taps the glass Mouths every word She lifts her arms Waits for me to fly But I just walk on by I just walk on by (hey) [Verse 2] Children laugh behind her They point where the seal meat dries She waves at hanging parkas Like feathers in the sky She leaves crumbs on the railing Bread falling in the drift As if I’ll hop to her open hand Take shelter in her fist [Chorus] The white lady thinks I’m a bird She taps the glass Mouths every word She lifts her arms Waits for me to fly But I just walk on by I just walk on by (oh) [Bridge] Does she see my mother’s stories Carved on the caribou bone Or only her own reflection In this pane In this unknown [Chorus] The white lady thinks I’m a bird She taps the glass Repeats her words She flaps her coat Waits for me to rise But I just walk on by On the snow I walk on by