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Draw a bird. Name ten things you’re looking forward to. Write about who or what or where is home to you... Scribbled Pleas is a book of lyrics by singer-songwriter Mia Stegner, filled with unique prompts designed to inspire creative expression and self-reflection. A storyteller at heart, author Mia Stegner views songwriting as an avenue to ask questions, seek answers, and ponder both personal and collective pieces of the human experience. Learn more at www.MiaStegner.com
I came out as bisexual on September 23, 2016, and this song is a reflection on that experience. The lyrics dive into the metaphor of the closet, to look at the pros and cons of choosing to leave it. As important as it is to encourage and celebrate coming out, it's also critical to acknowledge the draw of the closet, especially in the context of the society we live in. Made up of overlapping harmonies on top of a beautiful guitar track by Ramita Arora, this track is an LGBTQ+ anthem infused with bits of fear, hope, and caution. Lyrics below.
lyrics
I was born in a closet
And it took a little time for my eyes to adjust
I was born in a closet
Surrounded by clothes and shoes and dust
Down the hall, I saw other people leaving
And I wondered why I didn’t do the same
I stood up to open the door
But it was locked and I only had myself to blame
But what does it matter?
The closet’s safe and it’s quiet and there’s nothing to fear
So why should I leave?
Am I a skeleton? Oh maybe I belong in here
I imagined what it might be like
Living out on the other side
But for the life of me I just couldn’t visualize
Opening the door even though I tried
No one tells you that you might miss it
No one tells you you can’t get back in when you leave
No one tells you you’ll be locked out
No one tells you you might have to grieve
I was born in a closet
I was alone, no one knew where to find me
I was running out of air, but
I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be free
Because the closet was a comfort
It was my own little space
And yet I felt kind of lonely
And I was ready to show my face
No one tells you that you might miss it
No one tells you you can’t get back in when you leave
No one tells you you’ll be locked out
No one tells you you might have to grieve
The place where I made a little home is gone
And my secrets no longer belong to me
And there’s much to fear but it’s bright out here
And at least I can breathe because now I’m free
When you’re born in a closet
Well you can’t bring your clothes when you go
So you lose all your layers
That kept you safe and hidden, they all know
But you finally get to talk to the others
Instead of listening through the door
There’s so much fear, so much hatred
But of hope and love, there’s so much more
And it’s okay to wait for a while
Until the right people will greet you on the other side
When you’re used to dust moths and darkness
It’s okay to take your time
No one tells you that you might miss it
No one tells you you can’t get back in when you leave
No one tells you you’ll be locked out
No one tells you you might have to grieve
The place where I made a little home is gone
And my secrets no longer belong to me
And there’s much to fear but it’s bright out here
And at least I can breathe because now I’m free
The place where I made a little home is gone
And my secrets no longer belong to me
And there’s much to fear but it’s bright out here
And at least I can breathe because now I’m free
The place where I made a little home is gone
And my secrets no longer belong to me
And there’s much to fear but it’s bright out here
And at least I can breathe because now I’m free
Because now I’m free
credits
from Purple Door,
released September 7, 2019
Guitar by Ramita Arora
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