Bodega Orchids

[Verse 1]
Her shift at the 24-hour on Junction Boulevard
Starts when the last of the streetlights forget who they are
Smell of gardenias fighting the fryer grease from next door
She hums a low cumbia, puts the wilting ones on the floor

[Chorus]
She says the bodega orchids bloom in the dark
They don't need the sun, mijo, just a little spark

[Verse 2]
A boy stumbles in past two, all nervous and cheap cologne
He asks her, "What's gonna fix this?" like she's supposed to know
She keeps braiding her hair, three strands pulled over tight
Doesn't say a word, just hands him the white lilies for the fight

[Chorus]
She says the bodega orchids bloom in the dark
They don't need the sun, mijo, just a little spark

[Bridge]
Some roots are invasive, they just choke out the ground
She learned how to prune things with no one else around

[Outro]
Florecen...
Bloom in the dark...