The Line

I’ve walked the line, Pacific-Atlantic
I’ve walked the line from transit to rapid
I’ve walked the line from nonplussed to frantic
I’ve walked the line from vatic to vapid
I’ve walked the line from smartass to stupid
I’ve walked the line of liars and boors
I’ve walked the line from arrow to Cupid
I’ve walked the line from my home to yours

I’ve walked the line from subject to object
I’ve walked the line from cut-up to pasted
I’ve walked the line from penthouse to project
I’ve walked the line from sober to wasted
I’ve walked the line from tongue-tied to tasted
I’ve walked the line of virgins and whores
I’ve walked the line from trial to tested
I’ve walked the line from my mind to yours

I’ve walked the line from trickle to river
I’ve walked the line from twilight till dawn
I’ve walked the line from taker to giver
I’ve walked the line from cygnet to swan
I’ve walked the line from jungle to lawn
I’ve walked the line of windows and doors
I’ve walked the line from climax to yawn
I’ve walked the line from my body to yours

Woman, don’t ask me, this week or this year,
What I mean by these piled-on metaphors—
The only answer that I’ll have is, I fear,
I’ve walked the line from my love to yours.