The Quiet Kid's Amplifier

They knew me as the quiet kid The one behind the library desk I wrote whole worlds inside the margins And barely said my name in class Tonight the borrowed cables hum My knees are shaking, here I come Turn me up, I am here You can hear me through the fear I don't need a different face I'm allowed to take up space The first note broke across my tongue I saw a girl beside the wall She held her coat the way I did And mouthed the line I'd almost lost Turn me up, I am here You can hear me through the fear I don't need a different face I'm allowed to take up space I won't be loud in every room I'll still read through quiet afternoons But when a song asks me to stand I'll take that microphone again Turn me up, I am here You can hear me through the fear I don't need a different face I'm allowed to take up space The girl came over after dark And showed the notebook in her arms