Middle Man

I’ve worn those shoes before

He says, pointing at my bare feet

I don’t understand, I’m not wearing shoes

But his words are soothing

So I keep going

I’ve traveled this road before

He says, gesturing towards the overgrown grass

I don’t understand, this path has been ignored

But his words are soothing

So I keep going

I’ve climbed this wall before

He says, looking up into the clouds

I don’t understand, this wall is unclimbable

But his words are soothing

So I keep going

I’ve crossed this river before

He says, skipping rocks across the surface

I don’t understand, he doesn’t know how to swim

But his words are soothing

So I keep going

I’ve been here before

He says, holding his own map upside-down

I don’t understand, nobody’s been here before

But his words are soothing

So I keep going

I’ve fallen before

He says, ignoring my twisted ankle and call for help

I don’t understand, he won’t help me get up

But his words are soothing

So I stop moving and fade into the ground.