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.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54s6JixVsa
First, a bit of backstory. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUM7VytYXP
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.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96WBqM9cIF
Things weren't the best, but they were good enough.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaXwEQG3Nc
Then suddenly, those who went off the radar entirely suddenly come back, and that line of division is darkened. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfLsYeuTix
Rumors spread, ideas are lodged into minds. The line darkens. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SilPPdPeE
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWemt7ryIwW
Then, tragedy strikes.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ75cEzm01K
This is where the poem comes into play.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiPOYqPycA
For reasons of protection, I will not be using real names. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaVDt6Nxbg
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBvDC4CwHw
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpByvu1tZbj
She can't go because she has to pay rent next week. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvngbmHGK4
Next week is her birthday. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoFhGf1Erk
She's always been selfish, and while it hurts, it was expected. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d5GUbFKUr
The line darkens. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJBcgHpB5r
Then, on Facebook, there's a post, a correspondence by my great uncle's own son and my aunt. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIA1BvHv99
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..." 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPYKhAG72y
I'm sorry, but... what the fuck?934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDBLlYHrcV
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?934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSf8PEkkgN
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS1xMfLrxT
And you dare think that just because she's religious and her brother isn't that she doesn't keep in contact?934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhor80Y85Tt
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBaKTxwaZJ
Now, I don't have my aunt or my cousin. My moms done dealing with all the stress and lies. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lha84Fzj9
And I don't blame her.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jWOSKpGJY
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. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcopBN47wu
This is true with everything.934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD21arcZoN
My message: respect everyone, despite varied beliefs, despite skin or sexuality or anything else. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEze803imz
Maybe that's idealistic, but it's a lesson I live by. 934Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRxBjk0Hof
and then Add to home screen.