The Straight And Narrow

Where am I now on the road that winds

Gatekeepers motioned to me

Urged me to enter their world

I denied impulse,

I buried curiosity--

Fought with conscience....

Still on this 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 this 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 this 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 this 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 this 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 this 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 this 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 conscience....

Still on this straight and narrow...

Always on the straight and narrow.