Backyard Brawls

He used to call me names
Cursing out knocks that didn't land in vain
And I used to wonder if I'd think of one
That would knock him back in his place

He used to hit me hard
Beating flesh like it didn't feel pain
And I'd run fast and cry to Mom
Big brother was at it again

We used to look the other way when we passed in the hall
And most words we exchanged were barely words at all

He used to ignore me
Keeping distance like he wasn't vaccined
And I'd tag along, a misplaced sidekick
Hoping one day, he'd adopt me

We used to look the other way when we passed in the hall
And most words we exchanged were barely words at all

But now he calls me sister
Like a brother whose found a friend
You can stand tall in a backyard brawl
But time will make you bend
And now he throws his arm around me
Breaking any blow he ever made
You can stand tall in a backyard brawl
But time will make you bend