Are melee champions going mid really weak early in the game, as in during levels 1 and 2? Because I find that they normally don't have access to a lot of, or any, poke this early on and, if they dive they'll take a whole lot of creep damage from being so close to my minion wave.
Or is this just because I'm bronze?
Its bc you're bronze.
jk
Even ranged champions avoid aa'ing the enemy champion because it draws minion aggro.
You need to know you're matchup and not be afraid to trade if you can. a ranged champ can choose to play like a little girl and not trade at all and just last hit, but melee champions need to try and trade if not they must take the poke like a man while they try to cs. You need to make the enemy (ranged) champion afraid of you by going all-in a few times.
When im playing mid if I know/feel the enemy is afraid of me I will poke him out and dominate, but if I see them randomly walk upto me and try to trade Im like "damn, he might actually be able to kill me/has jungler back up, Ill give up this cs/let him have it". This is especially true with melees that have gapcloser or cc.
usually melee's going mid take flask or boots + pots.
You really shouldn't be trying to poke/trade with a range mid early levels like 1+2 just try to CS and when you get up in levels is gets a lot easier like with 
or 
Early levels you basically have to get whatever creeps you can without taking too much harass. Farm with ranged spells or look to CS when your enemy laner is going for their own creeps.
