[Verse 1]
Playground chalk turns red in the rain
He says
“You’re special
Don’t feel shame”
Sits too close in chemistry
Whispers lies like poetry
Gold star for the pretty face
Behind the desk
It’s just a game you never asked to play
[Chorus]
You said
“Teacher
Teacher
I feel small”
You turned my questions to a secret in the hall
Wrote my silence in your margins like a test I failed to pass
Behind the desk you held the power
I was only in your class
[Verse 2]
Late bell rings
I stay in my chair
Your coffee breath
That plastic glare
“You can trust me
Shut the door”
I stare hard at the tiled floor
Sticker smile on my essay page
While your hand erases every line that feels like rage
[Chorus]
You said
“Teacher
Teacher
I feel small”
You turned my questions to a secret in the hall
Wrote my silence in your margins like a test I failed to pass
Behind the desk you held the power
I was only in your class
[Bridge]
Years go by
I change my name
But I still flinch when someone says your same
I fold my memories like note cards
Lock them in a box
Still hear you grading every “no” I tried to talk
[Chorus]
You said
“Teacher
Teacher
I feel small”
You turned my questions to a secret in the hall
Wrote my silence in your margins like a test I had to pass
Behind the desk you weren’t a hero
I was just a child in class