Bright Shoes

Dark street, clean step
Presence is the flex

Corner store glass throws my shape back
Red soles flashing under old blue light
I used to fold my shine in pockets
Walk small past the midnight crew
Now my laces glow by the crosswalk
One gold loop and one green stripe
A taxi slows, somebody whistles
I keep my rhythm, don't turn around

Left foot says keep moving
Right foot says don't shrink
Streetlights hit my shoulders
And I like the way I think

Bright shoes on a dark street
Presence is the flex
I don't dim to get home
I make the night respect my steps

Step, step, let them see (let them see)
Step, step, let them see (let them see)
Bright shoes, dark street (walk it clean)

Tonight my earrings catch the traffic
Like two small sirens made of gold
I got rent due, yes, but rhythm too
And rent don't get to own my glow
I have carried keys between my fingers
Heard footsteps sharpen in the rain
So these shoes are celebration
But they also know the lane

Left foot says keep moving
Right foot says don't shrink
Streetlights hit my shoulders
And I like the way I think

Bright shoes on a dark street
Presence is the flex
I don't dim to get home
I make the night respect my steps

I don't wear bright things for danger
I don't shine to start a fight
I was born with my own morning
And I carry it at night

Tap once for the backstreet
Tap twice for the fear
Tap three for the women
Who still made it here

Bright shoes on a dark street
Presence is the flex
I don't dim to get home
I make the night respect my steps
Step, step, let them see (let them see)
I bring the colour on my feet

Dawn puts gold along the street
Presence is the flex