Numbers

She found numbers
fascinating
and believed
there were good numbers
and bad ones
the thirteens
and other odds
besides the safer
evens

So she noticed that
there were at first five
an odd number
and not a good one
the table had room for six
but they nearly always
bought plates in fours
although she couldn't remember
a day when they all sat
around the table
for dinner
And the car had room
for five, or even six,
but that would be a slightly tight fit
and yet,
there was never a day
when they all sat
there
in that little red car

Now there were four
a safer number
even
comfortable
there were always enough
plates of the same design
and dividing food
into equal shares
was much easier
even though
she couldn't remember
ever having to divide treats
into five equal shares
when they were a family of five
and not four
Her mother now bought
items and food
in even numbers
so much more easier
she even bought meat in
two pairs
'four chicken thighs'
she would ask
even though of the four
only three
ate meat
and the other who did
left
making them a family of
four and not five