Kim Rodrigues Poet Free verse

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.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Paige Hind November 24, 2023 at 6:36 PM I enjoyed this very much. A very unique take on a complicated subject... Kim Rodrigues November 25, 2023 at 5:33 AM Thank you! Glad you liked it!

Shadow Hamilton November 22, 2023 at 2:27 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 November 22, 2023 at 2:34 PM Thank you, Shadow!

Gershon Wolf November 21, 2023 at 7:36 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 November 22, 2023 at 5:18 AM LOL!

Daniel Henry Rodgers November 20, 2023 at 8:56 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 November 20, 2023 at 10:16 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 November 20, 2023 at 9:37 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 :)