(i don’t want to) grow up into you

You're five.

Your father shouts.

You and your brother run

and hide in the other room.

You play together

to stay out of his way.

You're ten.

Your father laughs at you.

Your brother laughs along,

but it's alright.

He still lets you play

with his toys.

You're fifteen.

Your father is mad.

You've learned to laugh about it,

but your brother cowers.

You try to make him see the humor,

but he gets angry at you.

You're twenty.

Your father isn't home.

Your brother gets angry

about something you don't understand.

He sounds painfully familiar.

The two of you were never on the same side.