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