Mid-Child Crisis

rutherfranc on Mar 7, 2009

Tags: album, aunt, brother, Butterfly, favorites, grandma, grandpa, mother, photos, sibling rivalry, smug, uncle

A reminiscence of my younger life.

I opened up an old photo album
Where memories suddenly took flight
From their muted and pressed column
Again they saw the flicker of light…
A picture caught me chasing a butterfly
My older brother looking smug that day
The one next to me was about to cry
While the fourth one is still on the way…
I remembered the fun and the fights
Our mom would stop us with gentle slaps
I also recalled those crying nights
Woven now and then through our hearty laughs…
Being in the middle at that point in time
I was feeling I’m a little disadvantaged
Because whenever we go on a spree of crime
It was I who always ended up carnaged…
Mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, uncle and aunt
Would tell respect your big brother as it is due
Then he would give me grinning taunt
Turn on my little brother is what I’ll do…
But before I can pass the ball to the last in line
I was reminded that he was a baby yet
Making the youngest angel cry is not so fine
Even if he breaks all my toys and playing set…
Also rebelled at the hand me downs
For when they buy something new
It will be for the baby and eldest one
“This old one is still suitable for you”…
Regretful that I wasn’t so understanding
that my used ones are just too big for the baby
And what my elder brother used to be wearing
will be thrown out if not worn by anybody…
Also fell down to the start from a stairs end
due to my adventurous inclination
while my mom grabbed the baby by the hand
because his would have been a worse continuation…
Visitors would come and marvel at the big one so smart
And then would be charmed by the baby cooing
They ignore the wide eyed mid-child being torn apart
For they don’t know the jealousy I am feeling…
At length I did felt that I was neglected
because of the situations I just said
Being the best, I cannot be selected
So I admit to crying in my bed…
Those were the days when I was immature
Truly naive in everyday life’s game
For now with an open heart I am sure
They loved me fair and just the same…
So I closed the book that reminds me of the pain
Grateful that my life was lived the way it was
For if I have to go trough those times again
I won’t change anything that came to pass…

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Comments (43)

Kate Smedley on Mar 7, 2009
Aah, memories! Great write, I especially love the line ‘It was I who always ended up carnaged’, says it all!
Karen Gross on Mar 7, 2009
Awwwwhh! Poor kid. So is that why you stopped at 2, or are you planning a third child so that you can commiserate with your own middle child.
I was the younger of two girls. I now have two girls. I tend to spoil the younger one by getting her new stuff. I have created little shopping monsters, letting them have all the stuff I didn’t get as a child.
K Kristie on Mar 7, 2009
Beautiful memories–great work!
luv2write on Mar 7, 2009
Good one dude, loved it, missing my bro here..
denus on Mar 7, 2009
great work ruther, absolutely brillaint.
Betty Carew on Mar 7, 2009
Excellent write rutherfranc although a little sad , I was a middle child and can relate
Unofre Pili on Mar 7, 2009
So impressive piece of work. It warms and saddens the heart. Reminds my boyhood as well.
Daisy Peasblossom on Mar 7, 2009
I was an only; but I have three children. During their growing-up years I was constantly amazed and apalled by what three children can do to each other.
Alicia Wind on Mar 7, 2009
Oh my….i loved it…so nice!
Fegger on Mar 7, 2009
I, too, would be center child…I remember the feelings as you do, Rut…thanks for remembering for us all.
Clay Hurtubise on Mar 7, 2009
Nice piece, good flow and imagery. Wasn’t any better being the youngest!
Thanks,
Clay
Alina Beck on Mar 7, 2009
The plight of the middle child! I was the youngest of two and although I was jealous of my older sister, now I can see that I often got the best of the deal.
Vikram Chhabra on Mar 7, 2009
Its hard not to remember ones own childhood.. The middle one generally has it tough…Thanks for posting!!
papaleng on Mar 7, 2009
well-written but i guess its not only the mid-child that runs into crisi so are the eldest. Take it from me. I’m the eldest in a brood of seven and i have to share everuthing i own with my younger siblings.
rutherfranc on Mar 7, 2009
Thanks everybody.. don`t want to start an argument here but the eldest gets to be the leader and gets to use everything first..
miraj on Mar 7, 2009
ahh the cherished memories,and the immature pain of the middle-man.
I completely agree to your sentiments man,the older gets all.haha.
guess why?*wild grin*

Your poems always offer sweet memories,emotions,feelings and other aspects of life,It seems you are very passionate about life,and so your presence here is contagious.keep on writing man.

my deepest respect and gratitude,ruth
LOVE IS ALL

Walk in beauty change the poem.
Tena Mosher on Mar 7, 2009
great poem! i really enjoyed it!
maranatha on Mar 7, 2009
My own middle child was always the neediest. Good insights here.
CutestPrincess on Mar 7, 2009
Wow what a poem and so nicely done.
LOVELYHONEY on Mar 7, 2009
FIRST DAY FIRST WRITE AND A HUNDRED COMMENTS

I ENVY U MOST FOR I \’M THE THIRTEENTH ONE ,

SO THEY DO not celebrate my birthday
but lament. Gone are the days folks had a hockey team, now most of us stop at two. do not try for a third one
taking precautions should do.
well done its really a lovely one.

LH
Likha on Mar 7, 2009
The middle child syndrome, either the black sheep or the achiever. You certainly fit the latter rutherfranc. You’re right. So much to thank for.
Joni Keith on Mar 7, 2009
I’m a mid-kid too, so I know the grief you felt. Actually, I think I developed a stronger character and am much more independent than the other two. This was a great share. Thank you.
rose on Mar 7, 2009
nakakaloka din maging panganay no!
Kairos on Mar 7, 2009
Oh, My eldest son feels the same way!
macon on Mar 8, 2009
very good poem! brings back the memories.. and very raw feelings that can now be confessed.. now you can smack your elder brother in the head with no hard feelings.. hehe
Sandra A Flowers on Mar 8, 2009
soo beautiful, flow and rhyme perfect, almost like hearing you tell your story, awesome write
Amsky on Mar 8, 2009
It is usually happens to many mid-child. That’s the pattern and very difficult to avoid. Unless the family has been counseled by Psychologist about this then they can do better than this…
lindalulu on Mar 8, 2009
Very nice poem
Kimberly on Mar 8, 2009
Wonderful Poem! Kept my attention.
TOPELECTRICIAN on Mar 8, 2009
DAMN RF, YOU SOUND LIKE MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE..LOL but it’s true about being in that spot. i was second out of 8 so i got the brunt of the beatings too..lol
TOPELECTRICIAN on Mar 8, 2009
by the way i loved the poem….
Majic on Mar 8, 2009
Very interesting. I understand how it felt since I was a second of 5 children. It was tough but when you think about it, we still grew up well and good!
revivor on Mar 8, 2009
great poem
I was an eldest child but I can see what you\’re saying for the one below!!
thanks – revivor
C. S. Robins on Mar 8, 2009
very original, I was not a middle child but I now have a better picture about what it might have been like for my little sister.
Melody SJAL on Mar 8, 2009
That was quite a wonderful read. I am a mid-child too, though I did not experience that much.
Debra. on Mar 9, 2009
I have no idea of what you’re talking about with this mid-child thing as I am the 7th daughter and the 12th child of 14 children.

It seemed like you had a lot of fun, though. Nice write as always, Ruther.
S.Air on Mar 10, 2009
Great poem, it’s tough being a kid no matter what number you come in at! Really enjoyed this.
mermush on Mar 11, 2009
a very lovely poem…shud i say…bitter-sweet memory!! probably my bro’s feelin d same right now…he too is a mid-child..man i guess the only way out is to b d youngest…
Oh n Debra….14children wow…dats a house full…
Ruby Hawk on Mar 12, 2009
My middle son would agree with you. A parent has plenty of love to go around but they don’t have the time. I know I didn’t give my children all they needed but we cant go back and do it over. It really makes me feel bad but as you say the past is the past. We have to move on.
Morgana on Mar 13, 2009
Oh baby boy, you needed more attention.I was the baby growing up but I wasn’t spoiled either
tate morgan on Mar 16, 2009
I liked this It touches a part of me
S A JOHNSON on Mar 18, 2009
This is really wonderful and I really enjoyed reading it.
eddiego65 on May 10, 2009
Beautiful memories. Nice write.

Mid-Child Crisis

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