bend your knees

So we spoke to the sidewalk

And it spoke back in code

Booming through our bones

Moving fast to the moment

Before the moment goes 

I wanted you to know 

 

I'm hoping to be worthy of you

I've no idea how to move like you do

I am taut but trying not to be a timid tree

Toppling for you 

I wanna be someone to you
Wanna choose joy like you do 
Take my heart and take the lead 
Keep me safe at every speed 
I keep locking up on purpose
Just to hear you tell me “Bend your knees.” 

​

You go first
Do the footwork 
I’ll do my very best
To improvise the rest 

Don’t be scared 
Is a catchphrase
No matter how I’m made
I still get afraid 

​

Afraid that by the morning 
You’ll find my body boring 
My clumsy feet not charming 
And my songs a little trite 
But you held me and told me

“I’ll be here as long as it takes for you to get it right.” 

I wanna be someone to you
Wanna choose joy like you do 
Take my heart and take the lead 
Keep me safe at every speed 
I keep locking up on purpose
Just to hear you tell me “Bend your knees.” 

​

You were singing something by the Postal Service 
And I saw you making up the words 
So I gave you corrections 
You chased me down the street 
Our skates saying in sidewalk-speak
Maybe…. maybe…. maybe 

I’m gonna be someone to you
Gonna choose joy like you do 

Take my heart and take the lead 

Keep me safe at every speed 

I keep locking up on purpose

Just to hear you tell me “Bend your knees.”