Hounds of Mercy

i am fighting the tide
reaching up from inside
my exterior calm
stacking bricks on my chest
keep your calf muscles flexed
are we doing this wrong
i am no hooded vagrant
i’ve seen the signs
release your hounds of mercy
take what you find
my oblivious friends
practice not giving in
to the people they are
build a toothpick chateau
knock it down with one blow
then go cry in your car
i am no spineless black sheep
i pay my fines
release your hounds of mercy
infect my mind
slide your hand through the bars
touch the teeth of my heart
i am vicious and true
kingdom’s coming for us
i hear hooves in the dust
and we’re not waiting for you
i am no bloated girl-child
these ties don’t bind
release your hounds of mercy
leave me behind