Scars We Pawned

Intro

Otis' shop, corner of Vance and Third

Mirror cracked since '99, still catches every word

Clippers hum low while the old heads spin their tales

Scars for a discount, respect measured out in scales

Verse 1

I was eight when a bike chain caught my shin

Showed it to Otis, he cut my hair free again

Learned it quick — a mark could pay a bill

Learned it slower what it costs to keep it still

Marcus had one shaped like a question mark on his jaw

Told it different every visit, made the young boys pause

I copied the swagger before I had a scar to show

Faked a limp all week just to make the story grow

Then the real one came, glass from a busted window pane

Sixteen stitches, Momma crying, said it wasn't worth the name

Wore it like a medal walking down to Vance Street court

Every head that turned was just a version of support

Didn't tell them Malik took the fall that made it happen

Held his hand through surgery, watched his mother clapping

For the doctor, not for me, cause I ain't earn that praise

Learned respect ain't free, it's just a scar delayed

Hook

Scars we pawned for a little respect

Paid the interest in things we forget

Every mark got a price, every price left a debt

Scars we pawned, still ain't paid it off yet

Verse 2

Ten years later I'm the one behind the chair

Same cracked mirror, same clippers cutting air

Young boy walks in with a burn scar on his wrist

Says a candle fell, I know a story when it's missed

I don't ask him twice, I just cut it close and clean

Tell him keep the story for himself, don't make it