the rope

pulled tight or hanging loose
the results are the same
long before you realize
you never know if you have enough
are you at the end of it
did you do yourself in with it
can you climb it
tie it or knot it or jump it
can you swing from it
is it rough or smooth
worn or frayed
tied in a bundle on the end of a stick
or used to walk across
the balancing act that
has become your life