I learned too young to mediate the fights
To swallow rage and coax out compromise
To smooth the edges, keep the peace at night
While childhood slipped away before my eyes.
Now every lover's quarrel sets me straight
Back to being the one who’s calm and wise—
The designated grown-up, forced to wait
While others throw tantrums, dramatize.
I'm tired of being steady, being strong
Of always knowing just the thing to say
Of making space for everyone's wrong
While my own anger gets packed away.
Some days I want to scream and slam the door
But someone has to be the adult.
Like before.