First Born

The first born has the right to the throne
unless you’re Prince Charles then it goes to your son
or in the Godfather it goes to the youngest one
but the first one is the clay

on which all mistakes are made
yet according to the psychologist
the first born has more drive than any other child
a greater need to achieve.

My parents always said,
“If you’re good the younger kids will follow,”
I was good for nothing ‘cause
all of them rebelled.

The first born has more pictures
than any other child
first steps, first words, first smile
all recorded in the baby book

but in the history of Judaism
it was the first born who was chosen
as the sacrifice
when the Christ was born.

The first born son is frequently
named after the father
and bears the burden of the father
for all his unfulfilled dreams

It is easier to be the second one
hidden in the shadow of the first
if he makes a mistake
the second can avoid it

if the first one is perfect
it makes life miserable
that shadow can weigh heavy
but it is easier be second
than the youngest of a family.