The Risk of the Middle Way

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