Two Centers

Mama say focus, streets say flex,  

one center quiet, the other get respect,  

I’m dancing on the line where the two intersect,  

one promise heaven, one promise a check,  

I’m the product of the push and the pull,  

every decision got a double-edged tool,  

one center teach me how to stay in school,  

the other teach me how to bend the rules,  

late nights, bright lights, both of them call,  

one say stand tall, the other make me fall,  

I’m the referee whistlin' plays in the hall,  

both of them claiming they going answer when I call,  

I’m the balance on the beam, the seam in the seam,  

one center chasing peace, the other chasing cream,  

I’m the middle of the riddle, the fuel in the dream,  

I still hear the echo of the two centers scream