Looking back on this now, this seems a lot more "edgy" and depressing than I anticipated, but I always romanticize my experiences in creative writing. Seeing other's difficult family lives makes me sad that I couldn't write anything more positive. Sorry in advance!
My sister is a fox, clever and sharp-witted. She dyes her hair a deep, red russet, and her dark eyes are keen and seeing. She complains about her crooked teeth, but it's something that I and the otter don't mind and have instead come to love. She buries her head in scarves in the cold, and wears knitted clothes that I could find draped on the clothesline of a flower child's house. No matter how many times I write that sentence, it always seems to be mocking, but I love her wardrobe, with bold colors paired with neutral tones, with her outfits always looking put together. Though she's always willing to preserve my safety, the 14 years between us has led to an entirely different connection; we don't talk as frequently as the typical siblings do, and it seems as though we've grown up with entirely different families. When I snap at the panther, the fox is ready to defend, but is never unwilling to hear out both sides of the story with decisive, acute ears. She's been with the rest of my family the longest, and her heart aches with sympathy to see them now, yet I can tell she's more than willful, stubborn, and headstrong when it comes to everything that's changed.
My mom is a panther, outwardly finicky and subtle, yet holding something down that only a panther can know. She's strong from years of vigorous work, up keeping the fox, the ox, and myself, yet her mind hasn't kept as abreast. When she's angry, her eyes are wild with rage, and it seems as though the panther's contorted face is something I've only come to see. She forgets and hardly forgives, and her words confuse me; how can you wish for the best of someone, yet have your tongue coated with spite and fury, with your fangs relentlessly bared? Though a panther, she's not stocky or fit, rather thin and delicate, with her long age catching up with her. She dyes her hair like the fox's, but her white roots are a reminder of what she has lost. She's confused, and sad, and happy, and bewildered. I've seen her face too often, and I'm always wondering what's behind her smiles.
My dad is an ox, stubborn and grimly unreachable. Unlike the panther, he's been gifted with a strong, unrelenting body, fantastic health and burly strength; yet it's one of his gifts that he manages takes for granted, as he throws himself into death whenever possible. He has scarred horns and a morphed body and pelt, yet unlike the panther, though he can huff and rear his horns, his eyes still remain the same, taking away any fear that could possibly bloom. It would pain my sister to say that I relate her more to the ox rather than the panther, but the stubbornness they share is adamant and true, and thankfully, in all other aspects, she's completely detached in my eyes from any other relation to him, and we share a mutual spite towards the bull. There's so much to say about the ox, but it would make me feel better if I said the minimum.
My brother in law is an otter, cheerily friendly and outgoing, and chock-full of wise advice. He's deeply in love with the fox, a constant, blooming happiness that I see between them, and something that I never want to go away. Like her, he's willing to keep me out of danger, and makes my well being known of its importance. Like her, he's witty and smart, and lets me know constantly that my academic achievements are something that I should commend. He's reciprocating and sympathetic, and not just because he's dealt with the similar problems that our family has had, but just because his kindness is unparallel to anyone I've me that's not of my blood. He's hardworking and iron-willed of the things he's believed in, and he puts so much love into me, the fox, the panther and the ox, something that I could never manage to give as endlessly. He, for some wild reason, stubbornly helps me in the minuscule problems I have, and lets us ramble endlessly about life and high school advice, including things that I never expected that I'd need, with the conversations only ending when the car stops at our destination. My family is unique, and though I'm not sure of what to make of the majority of my experiences, I'm happy that some love and protection resides in it.
(Sorry for stealing this picture from your Instagram, Mia)
Very creative and I love the way each member is described. Great photo, too!
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