between fire and flood

In the best of all possible worlds 
there is pain
on both sides, and
we know this in deep
heart and brain. Between
fire and flood, we thread our steps
knowing we can't control what
hits us next. 

So we walk in a world of
peril and dread. Between fire
and flood our paths have led. 
Bad stars of disaster redundantly bloom
'til the wide, bright expanse shrinks 
to danger and doom.   

But what we can't control has not 
got us yet.

If we counted the days 
of good rain and shine,
we would have to admit
we get most of it fine -

Still, we look right and left 
between fire and flood.
Rising high, choking out,
burning, drowning all paths
we imagine in mind, beyond 
our control.

It gets in the blood.   
It's enough to make us
wish we lived in the past,
where despite all the doubt
and confusion, then
- at least we know now 

we came through it
aright, and whole. And 
it all went by so fast.