I just wrote and published a poem to add on to one of my collections called "Bolding the Line". I suppose this is my explanation of that poem.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrF81slCGo
First, a bit of backstory. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99CjdxjqGJ
My family is divided by one thing: religion. On one side, there are the religious members, good people undoubtedly, who not once have tried to force down their beliefs into another's throat, not in my presence, nor have said anything prejudice or hateful about those who do not follow their beliefs. On the other side, there are those who are against religion, most of whom I'ven't personally met, but those I have were still good people. They had their reasons for not believing, and I respected that. We were family after all. We have to love each other, even if we do not agree. That's how it's always been, minding our own business, being respectful, and the children of the family all friends.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnZcne5aRh
Things weren't the best, but they were good enough.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXyhdlNUpL
Then suddenly, those who went off the radar entirely suddenly come back, and that line of division is darkened. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQSkLaqCZN
Rumors spread, ideas are lodged into minds. The line darkens. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Mr1OgK4Q
Personally, I do not pay attention because, as I have said, I do not know most of the people on the other side, mostly due to distance in where they live and where I live. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSgZZ4b8CN
Then, tragedy strikes.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1xNM0arJZ
This is where the poem comes into play.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqf4NYNdlk
For reasons of protection, I will not be using real names. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizbGUEqV5B
Some weeks ago, my grandma informed us that her brother -- my great uncle -- had a stroke, and just yesterday, she told us that he had gone blind as a result. Everyone comes to the conclusion that he will not last long, and even he has said that he has given up hope. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3JrCJeKjf
That's when my mom -- bless her heart -- decided that we should try and get him cross-country to see some of his family before he is gone. She tells my grandma this; grandma's on board. My dad (who is on the other side) is supportive and helps plan the route. Then my mom tells my aunt. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4KqekW27z
She can't go because she has to pay rent next week. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNaXOlIOwk
Next week is her birthday. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6C5DYOZFl
She's always been selfish, and while it hurts, it was expected. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSRkb7BRHt
The line darkens. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwUt6EBKBa
Then, on Facebook, there's a post, a correspondence by my great uncle's own son and my aunt. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKbJjxisnG
I will not say it word-for-word, but it was not an expression of grief over the dying old man. More of it was about bashing on my grandma for "not caring", "not keeping in contact with her own brother because their heathens". That she didn't "give an f..." 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBkk7Qe4Up
I'm sorry, but... what the fuck?1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJQ9LkwY7n
The man's dying. Who gives a damn about religion? The religious ones aren't even talking about that. They just want to make sure he goes happily, gets to see his family. Yet all you think about is bashing on my grandma because of it?1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSsgyL9cLc
It was my grandma who bothered to tell us of his ailment, who wanted to do something, who's currently canceling a CAT scan to go on the long trip with her brother. She's stressing like hell over it. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYvXMagJJd
And you dare think that just because she's religious and her brother isn't that she doesn't keep in contact?1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0raicrcYzZ
Things were fine. Then lies are ingrained into the mind, and suddenly, the family doesn't just have a line, but they acknowledge it. And hell, there's nothing worse than acknowledging differences and divisions. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nd5b0w0Mr
Now, I don't have my aunt or my cousin. My moms done dealing with all the stress and lies. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmjJ0II0GK
And I don't blame her.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOZ8545yDC
Some might argue it's religion that causes all these problems. Yes, it does cause problems, but it's so much more than that. It's a lack of respect. You don't approve of something? That's fine. That doesn't mean you can just tear rifts into the family. A lack of respect brings about hate. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKeKmWrDza
This is true with everything.1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gfs4nSHea
My message: respect everyone, despite varied beliefs, despite skin or sexuality or anything else. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1XiYRLi2n
Maybe that's idealistic, but it's a lesson I live by. 1175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gC2EEsrcq
然後按「加至主畫面」