My Weakness

Now I lay me down to spend
My night in shame, my heart to bend
And if I die before it breaks
I beg for you this heart to take
But don't mistake my weakness for kindness

When you inherit that dreadful thing
Then it's yours to use for anything
Pinch it, prod it, give it a good shake
But just don't open it, for heaven's sake
Lest you mistake my weakness for kindness

You're the loveliest thing I've seen
Since that last one I treated mean
Oh, the excuses I'd make
How she's eat them up like cake
How she'd mistake my weakness for kindness

In my defense, I tried to warn you
Caution tape and safety orange
But you gave me such a look
And tried to read me like a book
Thus you mistook my weakness for kindness

When you knocked late, wild-eyed and scared
I was surprised, but I was still prepared
I threw my arms around your head
Gave you the warm spot in the bed
And you misread my weakness as kindness

We can bicker and we can bet
On whether you think this stain has set
But it's been on me for so long
And it'll stay even when you've gone
So maybe we're both wrong about my weakness and your kindness