middle child (poetry)

I’m the middle child
who wants more than everyone to be okay,
I’m the middle child
who is tired of fighting.

I’m the middle child
who had a limit on minutes.
I’m the middle child
who hid their Face behind personal Space.
I’m the middle child
who watched the originals before the prequels.
I’m the middle child
caught surfing while tied to a dog leash.
I’m the middle child
packing crickets the size of bricks.
I’m the middle child
stuck somewhere between Xes and the Ends. I’m the middle child
born of cruelty and apathy.
I’m the middle child
who listens to oldies from my birth year.

I’m the middle child
who won’t be allowed to lead the way.
I’m the middle child
in a nation lead by its trauma.
I’m the middle child
who’d rather wear black than blue and red.

I’m the middle child,
ignored not just forgotten.
I’m the middle child
who is way too sensitive.
I’m the middle child
loudly mistakenly for being quietly weak.
I’m the middle child
somewhere between sorrow and joy.
I’m the middle child
between misplaced rage and overgrown praise.
I’m the middle child
who learned to ask “why”.
I’m the middle child
hardwired to question what was “unseen”.
I’m the middle child
to thank for making it okay to not be okay.
I’m the middle child,
poor with friends, not rich and lonely.