for anne sexton



looking down on empty streets, all she can see

are the dreams all made solid

are the dreams all made real



all of the buildings, all of those cars

were once just a dream

in somebody's head



she pictures the broken glass, she pictures the steam

she pictures a soul

with no leak at the seam



lets take the boat out

wait until darkness

let's take the boat out

wait until darkness comes



nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey

nowhere in the suburbs

in the cold light of day



there in the midst of it so alive and alone

words support like bone



dreaming of mercy st.

wear your inside out

dreaming of mercy

in your daddy('s arms again

dreaming of mercy st.

'swear they moved that sign

dreaming of mercy

in your daddy's arms



pulling out the papers from the drawers that slide smooth

tugging at the darkness, word upon word



confessing all the secret things in the warm velvet box

to the priest-he's the doctor

he can handle the shocks



dreaming of the tenderness-the tremble in the hips

of kissing Mary's lips



dreaming of mercy st.

wear your insides out

dreaming of mercy

in your daddy's arms again

dreaming of mercy st.

'swear they moved that sign

looking for mercy

in your daddy's arms



mercy, mercy, looking for mercy

mercy, mercy, looking for mercy



Anne, with her father is out in the boat

riding the water

riding the waves on the sea