Porch Light On

[Intro]
You leave the porch light on
I leave the window shut

[Verse 1]
I know the weight of your hand on my shoulder
I know the meals you save when I come home later
You say my name like it belongs in your mouth
I count the reasons you will figure me out

I give away the coat off my back in December
Remember your birthday, forget I was tender
Every small kindness comes back to my door
I let it sit outside till I can't hear it anymore

[Pre-Chorus]
If you mean it, why does my chest turn cold?
If I'm worth it, why can't I hold?
I build a courtroom out of every room
Then sentence your love before it can bloom

[Chorus]
Don't tell me you love me, I won't let it land
It slips through my fingers like water and sand
I can give you the world, I can carry your pain
Then look in your eyes and reject it again

Don't tell me I'm worthy, don't call me your own
I made a cathedral and slept in the stone
All of this love coming back to my door
I keep saying thank you, then asking for more

[Verse 2]
I know the bus route you take after midnight
I wait by the gate when the weather turns spiteful
You call me a shelter, I call it a debt
I keep every promise and dodge every yes

Your friends see the good that I bury for safety
You kiss my forehead, I flinch like you hate me
I turn every blessing face down on the table
Then act surprised when I say I am unable

[Pre-Chorus]
If you mean it, why does my pulse run fast?
If I'm loved now, what about the past?
I wear my guilt like a second skin
Let every open hand become a sin

[Chorus]
Don't tell me you love me, I won't let it land
It slips through my fingers like water and sand
I can give you the world, I can carry your pain
Then look in your eyes and reject it again

Don't tell me I'm worthy, don't call me your own
I made a cathedral and slept in the stone
All of this love coming back to my door
I keep saying thank you, then asking for more

[Bridge]
Maybe I learned love as something to earn
A candle held out while I waited to burn
Maybe the mirror has lied for so long
I hear its voice even when it is gone

You don't have to prove it, you don't have to stay
But if you keep reaching, I might look your way
Not because I finally know what I'm worth
Just because your hands keep finding me first

[Final Chorus]
Don't tell me you love me—say it again
I may let one syllable through in the end
I can give you the world, still tremble and hide
But leave one small place for your love inside

Don't tell me I'm worthy—I'm trying to hear
The words underneath every practiced fear
All of this love coming back to my door
I open it slowly, and ask for no more

[Outro]
You leave the porch light on
I turn the handle once