Wolves

I was fifteen, still in the valley

Walking in a parking garage

First time I met a wolf in person

At first I thought it was a dog

I tried to dodge him, he was faster

Than I'd ever had to be

He smiled and howled in the same moment

It knocked the wind right out of me

And though I got away

I never walked the same

Now I bury my smile and show no interest

Now I carry myself a little different

Now I avoid the woods

Now I know the wolves

I was nineteen, still fun at parties

He plied me with shot after shot

He assured me he was harmless

Why did I ever trust a fox

I ignored all of my teachings

How I survived, I can't believe

I almost let him get his claws in

Still knocks the wind right out of me

And though I got away

I never walked the same

Now I bury my smile and show no interest

Now I carry myself a little different

Now I avoid the woods

Now I know the wolves

Saw a teenage girl on my street

Talking tall to one of them

Recognized him in an instant

Heard about him from my friends

Thank god women learned to whisper

But I crave a megaphone

That wolf said "It's dangerous out there"

That wolf said "Let me walk you home"

Now I bury my smile and show no interest

Now I carry myself a little different

Now I avoid the woods

Now I know the wolves