I stand
in the middle of a road,
sandwiched between two sides,
invisible walls pressing in 
suffocating,
invisible forces pulling both ways,
tearing me apart.

Stretching infinitely,
there is no escape.
Look forward, look back,
but only see the sides.

My foot edges towards one side,
then retreats back.
Don’t expect me to choose
one or the other–
I walk the middle line.

Come see me perform
the precarious balancing act,
dancing along the tightrope,
trying to escape these chains.

I don’t take sides.
I move forward
with blinders on.