the middle child

christmas morning we would run down the hall
with centuries old smiles on our faces
before we returned half our lot to the mall
and spent all our money at the video game places

oh you child
only three
so much wiser than
i'd ever be
you were the youngest before me
you were the youngest before me

and in the summer we would wax cliche
climb trees and swim in neighbors pools
before we all three went away
off to seperate private schools

oh my brother
twenty three
football captain
varsity
you were the oldest after me
you were the oldest after me

my sister was the first to die
laid herself low with sleeping pills
two years passed and my brother would fly
from his job diving into oil spills

brother, sister
now i fear
i'll fall as well
but it's not clear
why would you go and leave me here?
why would you go and leave me here?