At Variance
by Gay Williford

My family was a choice collection of differences.
Each of us seven members demonstrated individualities
that were reflected in our beliefs, food choices and lifestyles.
We seemed to specialize in “otherness!”

Our upbringing was a long test of adjustment.
My family was a unique collection of differences.
Birth order effected our status, our role–
discussion and argument woven into our upbringing.

Our small farmstead delegated many chores–
“down time” was rare and much valued.
My family was an uncommon collection of differences.
Each of us urged to develop our own interests.

Only one of us later practiced farming as a hobby,
the others of us selecting disparate careers,
again choosing dissimilar roads to travel.
My family was an exclusive collection of differences!



 

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