I keep my paint brush with me
wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up
So the real me dosen't show.
I'm so afraid to show you me,
afraid of what you'll do- that
you might laugh, or say mean things.
I'm afraid I might lose you.
I'd like to remove all my paint coats
to show you the real, true me,
but I want you to try to understand,
I need you to accept what you see.
so if you'll be paitent and close your eyes,
I'll strip off all my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts,
to let the real me show.
Now my coats are all stripped off,
I feel naked, bare, and cold,
and if you still love me, with all that you see,
you are my friend, pure as gold.
I need to save my paint brush, though
and hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy
In case someone dosen't understand.
So please protect me, my dear friend
and thanks for loving me true,
but pleases let me keep my paint brush with me,
until I love me, too.
-Bettie B. Youngs,
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
