Viral Light
Track 3 of Double Exposure
[ Lyrics ]
Your flash went off—now the world knows. Your flash went off—now the world knows. Side profile in the silver glow, city breathin’ slow below. You said, ‘Hold still—don’t blink, don’t move,’ I trusted you, I had no proof. Click—like a vow in analog, your lens caught what the mirror wouldn’t show. We sent it low-key to a small blog feed, now half of LA’s screencapping me. We’re at the diner, laughing through the shock— strawberry milkshake on a paper clock. You scroll the tags while I steal your fries, but every caption starts with your name twice. I don’t say it, no, I bite my tongue— just hum along to the song we sung. Viral light, you lit the sky— but why’s my shadow yours to try? You saw me— You showed me— But the world only sees one of we. Viral light, it’s bright, it’s loud, I’m in the frame but not in the crowd. Tagged by brands I used to sketch on trains, DMs flood like midnight rains. ‘Who styled you?’ ‘Who’s the girl?’ I type replies but feel like dirt. You post a story—‘Our moment!’—and I smile, but your filters blur me out this time. The photo’s ours, but the credit’s sole, like a duet played on a single scroll. We made magic, we made art, but they only praise your point of view. So I fake it well, I play my part— still, silence cuts deeper than truth. Viral light, you lit the sky— but why’s my shadow yours to try? You saw me— You showed me— But the world only sees one of we. Viral light, it’s bright, it’s loud, I’m in the frame but not in the crowd. Was it ever equal? Or just my fantasy? You held the camera— I held the memory. Now the internet sings your name, and mine’s a subtitle in the game. Viral light, you lit the sky— but let my glow finally rise. You saw me— You showed me— Now the world sees one of two. Viral light, no more disguise— we burn brighter, side by side. Your flash went off—now the world knows… but they’re just starting to know her. ”