Picture Child

You try to love me
Pretend that you can't see
What's always been there
And never question
Why I always laugh
At jokes I shouldn't
Understand
You convince yourself
That I have a boyfriend
That I don't want you to meet
When I run out the door
On Friday night

You asked me once
Why I cut my hair
I lied
And then shaved it off
You don't ask anymore

We don't talk about
The night you caught me
Kissing my best friend
When I was nine

You bought me a gold cross
The other day
Because you think
Your Jesus can save me
But what's going to save you
When you push me too far
And I tell you the truth
About Jesus Christ
And Sodom and Gomorrah

You like to think
That I'm your daughter
That I'm the little girl
In your picture book
That I am still your creation

But how long will it be
Until you realize
That the picture
You have of me
Age four
In a dress that you bought me
Posing for your camera
Was never really me