I limp along with obligation Its burdens pressing on my shoulders You always show a face that's steady You ask but you refuse to beg me And you have always been unwilling To ever speak of compromise These passions are such mirthless masters Sated without even a smile Their reassurance can't persuade me Of secret peace or hidden beauty And they are chronically unwilling To ever speak of compromise I was just trying to play it safe I was just trying to stay out of harm's way I was just trying to negotiate To find myself in the middle way With terrors on each hand I settle in this land Neither hot nor cold Neither brave nor bold Blunted sharp corners See through like a shade The edges tatter off Slowly I'm unmade With terrors on each hand I settle in this land Neither hot nor cold Neither brave nor bold There's risk in the middle way Of slumping into torpor I can say what I'm against But hardly what I'm for You never know how much is just right Until you've reached out and regretted Submit and keep your feet from slipping You watch what you put into that head of yours