At Least 5 Paragraphs

Third

She kicked and screamed

Her hair tangled and knotted

Sharpie and glitter covering her face.

Scratches criss-cross her arms,

Like the red crayon marks on our walls.

But I wouldn't let go.

Being pushed and shoved out

But with the chance to be locked in

I'm gonna stay here

With no doubt that being happy

Isn't always what people see out of the picture.

The picture from last week's wedding

All 4 kids dressed up oh so purely

Without a flaw in sight

Big smiles and clean cut laughs you'd see on TV

Only to find broken crayons in every coloring set.

Then I was violently taken from my daydream

Her screaming got louder

Her fingers started coming under our door

Pulling at the frilled rug

Thinking that she can pull herself in

Pouting for our mom.

Then the clicks start

The garage clicked when it opened

But doesn't always fall

This time it did.

My mom curses loud enough for me to hear

I finally here the front door creep open

I hear fast soft steps down our 15 step stairs

And slow heavy ones in the kitchen.

She was gone

Her fingers weren't under the door

Julia gave up.

Frantic clicks started again

I thought my dad swore he wouldn't fix it again

Gazing out of my molded scratchy window

Seeing Julia and her walk to the van

They were on their mother daughter trips again

It ended with Julia getting new clothes for school.

All mom and I did was drop me off at preschool

Or watch the Amanda Show with everyone in bed

But I guess that's what really counted

Until Julia gloats about being favorite daughter.

But that's how it's been

Until later on when Julia is a Junior

But I'm saying when this all started.

Waiting at the window

I started daydreaming

Of what she was going to get this week

Seeing that she always gets what she wants

Maybe new basketball shorts

Or new softball cleats. 

But it's okay because in 2 years

Those shorts and cleats

They'll be mine.

Just like everything else

But as I thought I was daydreaming

I was sleeping

Sleeping on Julia's bed.

The bed that wasn't an old mattress on the floor

But a majestic bed held up by a wooden head rest

made specially for her by our grandfather

The bed that will be mine when she's at college.

When I woke up I realized

If my mom likes julia more that's fine

But with her having another baby

I know I will not be last

Because for the top 5 favorite kids

I think a middle like me is gonna get in third.