I used to have a window
A blanket and a name
A hand that used to hold me
Then everything just changed
You left me by the roadside
Too scared to understand
I waited where you left me
Thinking you’d come back again
Every car made me look up
Every footstep gave me hope
But the days became the darkness
And the darkness became home
Do you see me
Or am I just a shadow in the street
I’m cold, I’m hungry
But there’s still a heart in me
I never asked to live this way
You left me here, then looked away
Do you see me
I’m not empty
I’m still alive
They chase me from the gardens
They curse me from their doors
Like being born unwanted
Means I don’t hurt anymore
I learned to fear the headlights
The barking and the cold
I’m blamed for just surviving
In a world without a home
But somewhere underneath these scars
I remember gentle hands
I still want to trust somebody
I just don’t know if I can
Do you see me
Or am I just a shadow in the street
I’m cold, I’m frightened
But there’s still a soul in me
I never asked to live this way
You made the choice, but I still pay
Do you see me
I’m not empty
I’m still alive
Somebody help me
You don’t know the hell I’ve been through
The nights I nearly froze to death
The things I had to do
Somebody help me
I’m calling out to you
Don’t turn your head and walk away
I’m trying to make it through
I didn’t choose the alley
I didn’t choose the rain
I didn’t choose the hunger
Or this body filled with pain
You say there are too many
Like our lives don’t mean a thing
But every cat you walk past
Is still waiting to be seen
I had a home
I had a name
I trusted you
You walked away
Do you see me
I’m more than just a shadow in the street
I’m bruised, I’m broken
But there’s still a heart in me
Somebody help me
You don’t know the hell I’ve been through
I’m standing here, still crying out
What more do I have to do
Just see me
I’m not nothing
I’m not empty
I feel fear
I feel pain
I need shelter from the rain
I am breathing
I am trying
I am here
And I’m still alive
If you stop and reach for me
Maybe I’ll finally believe
That somebody can still see me
And I’m worthy of being loved