The Straight and Narrow
The Straight and Narrow
Offers made through storybook eyes
On the shelves that keep,
Pages turned toward me
Urged me to enter their world,
I feigned interest --
I faked erudition,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Dreams with hints dropped in my head
In the sleep that confines,
Visions came up to me
Urged me to enter their world,
I ignored prophecy
I dissuaded symbolism,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Classroom courage made its stand
In the school that drains,
Teachers lectured to me
Urged me to enter their world,
I defied wisdom --
I decried knowledge,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Familial wars on neutral ground
In the house that hides,
Sides cried to me
Urged me to enter their world,
I disowned loyalty --
I dissipated love,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Crowding walls took their places
In the room that fears,
Voices were bribing me
Urged me to enter their world,
I resisted temptation --
I rejected greed,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Clean-cut saviors on their way
On the streets that hate,
Psalms waved to me
Urged me to enter their world,
I repelled faith --
I rebuffed salvation,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Sinful masters laid me down
On the bed that heals,
Bodies unveiled to me
Urged me to enter their world,
I protested lust
I repudiated ecstasy,
Fought with conscience....
Still on the straight and narrow.
Where am I at this point
On the road that longs,
Conscience answers me
Urged me to enter no world,
I detested this invasion
I revoked its license,
Fought with emotions....
Kept to this, the straight and narrow.
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