Lean In More By Sadie Gustafson-Zook I have never felt such compassion as I have felt within your arms You’re surprising me with the things I feel that I’ve never felt before You have listening ears and you yearn to hear what I have to say, even when I am unsure You lean in more I have never felt such tenderness as I feel when you’re around You seem confident that the time we spend is like time on holy ground And I don’t know how you could know by now that I would be worth it and you would not feel bound But I feel found Last night I cried when I heard a girl talk about her love She let go of her fear and it reminded me of you She leaned in too I have never known such a certainty that I’m okay in a pair Perfect things you do that make me laugh at who I wasted love on out there If I hadn’t met you and I never knew the way your soft eyes melt into my face that’d be a disgrace You—- are just who I need And you—- are my speed And you—— you’re my muse And I’m constantly reminded of you You lean in too

Birdsong By Sadie Gustafson-Zook Birdsong makes me squirm cause I’ve learned to assume it’s from a man Standing by the road cig in tow making all kinds of demands “Smile, sugar- sweet” Eyes concrete I stare intensely trying to appear so austere with a pinch of strong and angry I like looking bad like a bag feeling the security of knowing no ones there who would care or make remakes at me When I’m feeling fine I resign to the fact that there are eyes who won’t let me be as carefree as they were when they were 9 I wish I could be safe inside my skin I was nine when I skated by and a big white truck stopped by me Two grown men were there I was scared and they whistled at my hiney Please stop staring it would be one thing if I thought you knew me But I don’t think you do and it’s rude I should know cause I like staring I wish I could be safe inside my skin Birdsong makes me squirm cause I’ve learned to assume it’s from a man Standing by the road cigarette in tow making all kinds of demands Ooh, ooh, ooh

Two By Sadie Gustafson-Zook You are two, with me that’s three, I don’t know how to go forward with that much uncertainty You are two, with me that’s three I don’t know what to do with two of you and three of us when duets were made for two You are not the same as when I’m lying in your bed at night I don’t want to fight but when the lights are low and I can’t see your face you’re calm and gentle—— not all over the place but when the lights are up and I can see your smile you’re paranoid and wild and I don’t know what to do with the two of you You are two, with me that’s three, I don’t know how to go forward with that much uncertainty. You are two, with me that’s three I don’t know what to do with two of you and three of us when duets were made for two You’re are full of care but you’ve stopped caring for yourself, my friend this seems like a lame ending but when your intent is so far from who you are when we’re under stars and when you keep pushing it makes me want to scream Just be with me right now, but I only want one, not two of you You are two, with me that’s three, I don’t know how to go forward with that much uncertainty. You are two, with me that’s three I don’t know what to do with two of you and three of us when duets were made for two You asked me if maybe was it possible that I am two too? But that would make four And if you are two, and I am two what’s keeping me from dealing with my issues too? Am I that bruised? To not see the faults in me- Are we all duplicities?

Alewife By Sadie Gustafson-Zook It was late one Friday night I heard a voice from the sky Sounded as if it were crying out from above “Train to Alewife is approaching,” it said, unloved As I stepped into the car I smelled vomit on the floor Eaten and uneaten takeout laid next to me But alas I was too tired to get up and leave Eeeeee, eeeeee I found a bandaid on my bike the writing on it caught my eye “Thanks for locking your bike to mine,” it growled at me “Text me when you get this message and my bike is free” Eeeeee, eeeeee The morning train doors were too fast The wheelchaired man couldn’t get past With a smirk shared with his partner, he said with grace, “We can always get off later and then retrace” Oooooh, oooooh

Everyone By Sadie Gustafson-Zook I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young Everyone seems to think that they should have a say in who I am And everyone seems to think that they should have a say in who I should be Everyone seems to think that they should have a say in who I am And everyone seems to think that they should have a say in who I should be I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young I don’t know how to be who I thought I would become when I was young