Conversion

123rf

Conversion

I grew up a stone's throw from Chicago,
where impatience is considered authoritative,
disinterest as focused, rushed as efficient.

Married, moved south, Texas south,
where they commented on my accent, good-naturedly,
(excuse me, Midwesterners don't have one),
always waved, smiled, made time to chat,
and courtesy is as important as religion.

Now I reside in the Blue Ridge Mountains
where small towns receive many tourists
of which I can usually pick out the Northerner,
feel a bit of comradery, sip my soda water,
wonder if I finally blend in...

and hope I do.

Margaret Bednar, April 8, 2019

I still say "pop" as that is what we call it up North but after all these years living in the south... I sometimes do call it "soda".  That's a huge concession.  I don't say "ya'll" and probably never will, but who knows...

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Just One Word - Etiquette"

Also linked with "NaPoWriMo" - National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry which takes place each April, was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.