Middle Ground

(mary chapin carpenter)



For years she's lived on her own

In a corner of the city

Twice a year she gets back home

Playing catch-up with the family

She tells her folks what they need to know

Her mother says she's much too thin

Her sisters ask about her beaus

Her dad inquires how's business been



She's 33 this time around

She's always been real good at listening

Her sense of humor never lets her down

Except sometimes there's something missing



Hey middle ground

A place between up and down

She could be safe and sound

Oh to know middle ground



For years she's been on her guard

She's kind of tense around the shoulders

She wonders why she works so hard

She counts the days