Middle child
between curly hair with doe brown eyes
and an only son
one five years ahead, the other five behind
imitating the elder while
lingering in childhood with the younger
envying her poised elegance and
longing for his sweet innocence
Middle child
between worldliness and naiveté
flanked by her play for independence
and his everlasting childhood
expecting more from myself
learning by her mistakes
benefiting when parents learn
it’s something kids just do
Middle child
between reserved solitude
and gentle attachment
becoming reliable and resilient
out of necessity and then habit
passing white glove inspections
knitting and purling the blanket of family
needing its comforting warmth
Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman
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