Paintbrush

I keep my paintbrush with me
Wherever I may go
In case I need to cover up
So the real me doesn't show.

I'm so afraid to show me to you
Afraid of what you'll do
That you might laugh or say mean things
I'm afraid I might lose you
I'd like to remove all my paintcoats
To show you the real, true me
But I want you to try to understand;
I need you to accept what you see.

Now my coats are all stripped off
I feel naked, bare and cold
And if you still love me with all that you see
You're my friend, pure as gold.

I need to keep my paintbrush with me
And hold it in my hand
I want to keep it handy
In case somebody doesn't understand
So protect me, my dear friend
And thanks for loving me true
But I need to keep my paintbrush with me
Until I can love me too...