they wanted me
to be something that i did not want to be
they wanted me
to not be me

they built their world
on the unshakable foundation that the sinner can be saved
so they can't condemn
one who is one of them

----

even as i left
they tried to change me
not one of them could bear to say goodbye
because the person that they thought i was
the person i projected
wasn't me
nor who i want to be

----

i can not be
i'm a persistent deviation from their new philosophy
and now i see
they're scared of me

they want the very best for everyone
who happens to be standing on the right side of their gun
i see hypocrisy
they see a flaw in me

----

even as i left
they tried to change me
not one of them could bear to say goodbye
saying i'd be more than welcome
if i exorcised the devil in my mind
they think it kind

----

hate the crime, not the criminal
that's what they said
while they drugged me and planted things into my head
hate the crime, not the criminal
hate the crime, not the criminal

they preach this understanding
of people who do wrong
and so convinced are they it's noble
that they just trundle along

they are so blinded by compassion
for the victims of these flaws
that make us to the things we do
without what they perceive as cause

but it is part of me
despite their disbelieving and ideals
to have my friends attempt to kill it?
oh, you can't know how that feels

----

but there is one place in the world i'd be accepted
and it's the one place i can never ever go
the place that you escaped from 'cause to you it seemed like hell
is home to me
it's where i long to be

----

even as i left
they tried to change me
not one of them could bear to say goodbye
because to them i'm still a victim
still a patient to be cured of my disease
don't try to save me please