Honest Light from MÉLANGE by Erika Ji

jenny has the smile of a porcelain antique
flawless face from afar, up close you see
it could shatter to a million pieces
that's why she never breathes

doesn't show that she cares, afraid she'll break
no risks, no permanent mistakes
never shares any secrets, never aches
or if she does, no one knows the laughing's fake

when you numb all your heartbreak and hurt,
don’t you know that you're numbing love?
when you numb all your heartbreak and hurt,
don’t you know that you're numbing love?

soothe your eyes, forgive your fear
let yourself cry and brave your tears
break your lies after all these years
in honest light, you're finally here


jenny's with a boy who is gentle, kind, and sweet
makes her laugh, holds her hand, and likes to eat
she feels her heart flit and flutter to her feet
can she like him this much?

but when she tries to confess it, she retracts
feels her porcelain face begin to crack
steers the subject to a safer track
terrified that he doesn't love her back

when you numb all your heartbreak and hurt,
don’t you know that you're numbing love?
when you numb all your heartbreak and hurt,
don’t you know that you're numbing love?

soothe your eyes, forgive your fear
let yourself cry and brave your tears
break your lies after all these years
in honest light, you're finally here


straighten your tiara, porcelain queen
face your realm of earnest dreams
dare to say "I love you" first, be vulnerably seen
leap into the void, pray you grow wings

shed your glory, embrace your need
write your real story and let them read
shield be gone, see, we all bleed
you are worthy, and I believe in you

• Soundtrack
• musical theatre
• opera
• New York