Challenge from Stacey Joy: Write a family trait poem – – modeled after Sandra Cisneros’ “Hairs.”
Traits are randomly scattered through my family – –
some are well-loved by everyone,
soft grandma-hugs no one resists
others are avoided and even shunned
barely tolerated, I’ll tell you
some stand at odd angles
gaps of uncomfortable social distances
others stand stoically shoulder-to-shoulder
in a steadfast show of solidarity and unity
some consider themselves high above others
showcased with spine tattoos that proclaim things
others are falling apart at the seams
held together by mere threads
some stick to their own homes
rarely a rendezvous, while
others venture out
wandering and visiting like dementia ward escapees,
until they are found and returned home where they belong
some have unsung talents
those obscure, never-made-popular voices that rival the famous
others drone on and on and on and on
incessantly chattering about what isn’t mattering to anyone
some speak in ambiguous code
others tell it flat like it is – like it or not
some spill all the family secrets
others disguise their own truths
“asking-for-a-friend” style, never admitting anything
some are painfully shy and soft-spoken
others lead the charge and WILL NOT! be silenced
some are well-traveled
have wined and dined and slept around with too many to count
others are pristine virgins
untouched, undesirable as yet
all have a place in the concerted chorus –
some blending,
others transcending
doing their best to cover those a bit off-key
unkempt books that fill my family shelves
some awake, vertical
others lazily dozing, horizontal
all waiting to be read and loved and accepted for who they are
Common Threads 