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THE MIDDLE CHILD

The pickup ready to roll stalls at the green light shaking, smoking. I am the driver downwind. Beep beep…behind me, beep beep…behind them. The fog clears - I see the middle child like a foghorn; I speak out loud to no one but me, “It wasn’t me.” I did not beep beep out a morse code curse. My reward - the calm of the storm. Fumes fill the pickup, and other such vehicles, like a garbage truck. They turn left and right. The middle child upended, relaxes, its message pronounced, loud and clear, to the wrong rear.

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Paige Hind

Date: 11/24/2023 6:36:00 PM

I enjoyed this very much. A very unique take on a complicated subject...

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/25/2023 5:33:00 AM

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 11/22/2023 2:27:00 PM

this poem hides far more that says I like the subtilty and the play on certain words leaving a message behind kudos hugs shadow

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/22/2023 2:34:00 PM

Thank you, Shadow!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/21/2023 7:36:00 PM

I see you're having fun with the comments on this one, Kim. So, I'm a disappointment. Nothing original to say at all. ~ just a result of bad 'rear'-ing.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/22/2023 5:18:00 AM

LOL!

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 11/20/2023 4:16:00 PM

how many times in one's life are we 'caught in the middle?' You expressed that experience literally and metaphorically. Your examples of being 'caught in the middle' are ones I can relate to. Your words gave me pause as I reflected upon my own experiences. (I'm also a middle child). have great evening, Sara

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/22/2023 5:17:00 AM

Thank you, Sara! Your comment is very thoughtful.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 11/20/2023 8:56:00 AM

Kim, your poem is a compelling exploration of the experience of being caught in the middle, both literally and metaphorically. The imagery of the stalled pickup and the foghorn creates a vivid sense of tension and frustration, while the final lines hint at a resolution and acceptance of the middle child’s unique position. Your use of language is evocative and thought-provoking, inviting the reader to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions. I am a middle child. - Blessings, Daniel

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 11/20/2023 10:16:00 AM

Hello Kim, what is funny is that I was considered that finger or what it represents. My mom used to say, "I did not know what hell was like until you were born". Now we laugh about it. Thanks again, Kim! - Blessings, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/20/2023 9:37:00 AM

Thank you, Daniel! Of course, in this case the middle child was a designated finger from the driver. You on the other hand are a blessing :)