Center isn't far: But Just where

fear stalks you
as a tiger in the bush
can it smell you?

sweat dripping off your nose
staining my chest
burning your image into my skin

like a tattoo on my heart
mistaken and indelible
Inked flesh

there is pain but no pain
tolerance but intolerance
misery but not sorrow

what then is in between

in where is my middle
coming back to center
from all extremes

finding the outside around
waiting and insisting
inside is not sound