Poem: Walking on a Tightrope

Narrow beneath my feet
Can't go back, can only go forward
eyes straight ahead.
Only focused on survival
one false step
to plunge into the abyss
far far below
Too far on one side
the whining and clamoring voices
demanding a little piece of your sanity
one little piece at a time
You learn to give only
part of your attention.
If you give all of it
they demand more
and more
until you have nothing left.
Only by negotiating the chasm
by guarding your self-worth.
Shield your mind
and remember the goal
it's a dangerous road
to keep your mental balance.