Borrowed Pattern

[Verse 1]
Kemi adjusts her gele in the Gorton community hall's mirror,
doesn't see David's hand tracing the gold thread on another's sleeve.
The air is thick with palm oil and the hum of the main room's heater,
the bass from the speakers makes the whole floor breathe.
(Breathe... breathe...)

[Chorus]
And oh, the borrowed pattern starts to show.
(Do you let her know?)
Do you cut it clean, or just let the damage grow?
(Watch it grow...)

[Verse 2]
He leans in close, just after midnight, past the aunties' tired gaze,
says "'That print you're wearing... it reminds me of a place.'"
His thumb brushes her wrist bone, a casual, cruel design,
unspooling a story that was never truly his and mine.
(His and mine... his and mine...)

[Chorus]
And oh, the borrowed pattern starts to show.
(Do you let her know?)
Do you cut it clean, or just let the damage grow?
(Watch it grow...)

[Bridge]
A single stitch unravels from one whispered, velvet word.
The most beautiful lie is the one you half-overheard.

[Outro]
His hand still on the gold thread.
(Let it go...)
Her gele sits straight on her head.