My Hoot
by Eric
Lyrics
Intro
Stay awake; count backward from the name I gave myself.
My Hoot.
I hear that sound before my mouth decides to make it.
I keep both hands where I can see them.
Verse 1
I tell myself, “Sit still,” then pace the same four steps.
My left eye checks the glass; the right one checks the left.
I write my own instructions, then pretend I found them there.
The handwriting leans like me, but every letter has a stare.
I say, “You’re fine.” I say it twice. I say it through my teeth.
A small, wet syllable is waiting underneath.
Pre-Chorus
Who made that sound?
I did. I did.
Who’s answering now?
I did. I did.
Chorus
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
My Hoot in my throat, my Hoot in my jaw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; I know what I saw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Verse 2
I set a glass of water down and watch it lean toward me.
I do not touch it. I do not breathe. It knows what I will be.
My own voice says, “Keep your promise,” from the other side of sleep.
I answer, “Which one?” and hear my own reply arrive too deep.
I count the steps from bed to sink; I count them coming back.
I count again. The numbers have begun to double-track.
I tell myself to stop. My mouth keeps making little birds.
Pre-Chorus
Who made that sound?
I did. I did.
Who’s answering now?
I did. I did.
Chorus
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
My Hoot in my throat, my Hoot in my jaw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; I know what I saw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Verse 3
I took my name apart to see which piece could still obey.
The first one bit my tongue; the next one walked away.
Now every time I say “I,” another “I” says “prove it.”
I tell him I am driving; he says, “Then why can’t you move it?”
I keep my eyes ahead, though there is nothing to pursue.
The voice behind my teeth has learned to sound like you.
I ask myself for mercy. I reply, “Define the need.”
Then My Hoot starts counting down, and I begin to heed.
Pre-Chorus
Who made that sound?
I did. I did.
Who’s answering now?
I did. I did.
Chorus
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
My Hoot in my throat, my Hoot in my jaw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; I know what I saw.
Hoo—hoo, hah; hoo—hoo, hah.
Outro
Stay awake; count backward from the name I gave myself.
My Hoot.
I tell myself, “Be quiet.”
Hoo—hoo, hah.