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.931Please respect copyright.PENANAn7ogsgAr5b
First, a bit of backstory. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAUhcc4tDCc4
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.931Please respect copyright.PENANAn8PzWQuyUy
Things weren't the best, but they were good enough.931Please respect copyright.PENANArDMcCEv0AB
Then suddenly, those who went off the radar entirely suddenly come back, and that line of division is darkened. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAUZxtq1hbgR
Rumors spread, ideas are lodged into minds. The line darkens. 931Please respect copyright.PENANA1oguwdHmAr
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANASWnlaTXvkp
Then, tragedy strikes.931Please respect copyright.PENANAJuhjq5VJeE
This is where the poem comes into play.931Please respect copyright.PENANADwJ0GA1Dfv
For reasons of protection, I will not be using real names. 931Please respect copyright.PENANACE90SST2gr
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAu8NcLLHNgh
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAZZmaCkmZj0
She can't go because she has to pay rent next week. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAErao9GGQA2
Next week is her birthday. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAibV5MCwIzO
She's always been selfish, and while it hurts, it was expected. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAWK9ZvZLQuz
The line darkens. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAaGILjgGqSV
Then, on Facebook, there's a post, a correspondence by my great uncle's own son and my aunt. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3MV6wfhbn
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..." 931Please respect copyright.PENANArcAlpKBPHi
I'm sorry, but... what the fuck?931Please respect copyright.PENANAEoinVkW4LR
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?931Please respect copyright.PENANAs2kOQU4wHu
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAbnHngR1jou
And you dare think that just because she's religious and her brother isn't that she doesn't keep in contact?931Please respect copyright.PENANAk6ZyHatALo
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANA6jGyAGTGw5
Now, I don't have my aunt or my cousin. My moms done dealing with all the stress and lies. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAQlzsttW59L
And I don't blame her.931Please respect copyright.PENANAKO3mjKpJOh
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. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAe2bRI9UJFu
This is true with everything.931Please respect copyright.PENANA9toSdUwxKg
My message: respect everyone, despite varied beliefs, despite skin or sexuality or anything else. 931Please respect copyright.PENANAKmZDlTLUDp
Maybe that's idealistic, but it's a lesson I live by. 931Please respect copyright.PENANApcEQseg3kl