Every Girl I’ve Been

Honey…
I am not the girl I was.

I’m all my colors now
I’m all my colors now

I am every girl I’ve been,
every road, every flame.
The years did not erase my light,
they taught me how to sing my name.

Out where the highway meets the sky,
I see my shadow standing tall.
Every line upon my face
is a story, not a fall.

Red coat moving with the wind,
blue silk catching morning sun.
I am not the girl I was,
I am every girl I’ve been, in one.

No borrowed youth, no painted smile,
just truth that took a little while.

I am every girl I’ve been,
still soft, still strong.
Still dressed like a dream,
still walking like a song.
I wore the rain, I wore the years,
I wore what love became.
And now I wear my whole life well,
like it was always made for my name.

Every scar, every spring
let the colors sing

There’s a photograph in a cedar drawer,
young eyes looking back at me.
I smile and say, don’t you be afraid,
you grow into what sets you free.

I was the daughter, I was the bride,
the mother learning how to stay.
Now I am the woman in the open light,
and I do not turn away.

No need to chase what time refined,
I found myself in every line.

I am every girl I’ve been,
still soft, still strong.
Still dressed like a dream,
still walking like a song.
I wore the rain, I wore the years,
I wore what love became.
And now I wear my whole life well,
like it was always made for my name.

I’ve been plain, I’ve been tired,
I’ve been folded, I’ve been worn.
But tonight I wear the sunrise
like the coat that I was born for.

Every wrinkle is a ribbon,
every scar a silver thread.
I don’t dress to hide my story,
I dress to raise it from the dead.

I am not late.
I am not done.
I am every girl I’ve been,
in one.

I am every girl I’ve been,
still soft, still strong.
Still dressed like a dream,
still walking like a song.
The years did not take my light,
they taught it where it belongs.
And honey, I wear my whole life now
like I knew it all along.

I am not the girl I was.
I am every girl I’ve been.
And she brought me here.