Broken Not Beautiful

Elle was a model. We met in the bathroom
She'd forgotten to fasten the door
Clothed on the toilet, she slept like a baby
Her needle then dropped to the floor
She rose to her feet in a flood of apologies
And asked me for a ride
And have you a cigarette. Mine were taken
Her eyes shined as she cried

That's the way I came out - broken not beautiful
Then all of this happened, and I'm all alone
I said I cannot carry you. Your burden is too heavy
And I'm tired of the weight of my own

John was a man in love with a man
In love with a woman, I say
John tipped his hand being rude to the woman
The man had to turn John away
John set sail for the barrier islands
For the barrier islands he'd gone
Where John loved a woman in love with a woman
John sang me this song

That's the way I came out - broken not beautiful
Then all of this happened, and I'm all alone
I said I cannot carry you. Your burden is too heavy
And I'm tired of the weight of my own

Jake was a small man who climbed the high stairs
To greet me and show me his scars
Shot as a child then left by his mother
Jake sleeps under the stars
He fed me his rice cakes
Cold makes his wounds ache
He's writing his memoirs now
He said, I see by your manuscript you are a writer
Could you help me show the world how

That's the way I came out - broken not beautiful
Then all of this happened, and I'm all alone
I said I cannot carry you. Your burden is too heavy
And I'm tired of the weight of my own
I'm tired of the weight of my own
I'm tired of the weight of my own