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      Josh posted an update

      4 weeks ago

      Addictionship or Loveship


      Happy families are all alike

      unhappy families are each 
      unhappy in their own way
      Tolstoy famously claimed 
      and followed up with a novel 
      to proffer his bold scheme
      
      the final words on this claim 
      – fact or fiction – are written
      in the bones of every kin and soul
      in the blood of their own ménage
      a truth I can read in my own heart 
      and veins, a fact etched into 
      my skin and skull plotting 
      a whole other story 
      
      unhappy families, I'm sorry to say, 
      with tongue-tied unease and shudder,
      are all fake inside, numb, dead and 
      alike in alarming addictive ways
      barren of love and compassion
      they echo some old song on 
      repeat, dissonant and out of tune 
      speak harsh words with intent
      for no reason, driven by fear,
      blame and grudges, they force
      each other into playing a role   
      don't care how much they hurt
      themselves, treat others unkind
      as long as they get the final say
      to win the addictionship game  
      
      each happy family, I can attest,
      with relief and appreciation,
      is vibrant, alive and generous, glad
      to let kin and kith be themselves
      each living their own way or another
      happy families – witnessed through 
      years and decades of joy – are 
      protective of their own needs and space
      without obstructing the other 
      they share a bond among themselves 
      unbroken by mistrust and betrayal 
      their love is true, warm, and kind 
      radiating wherever they go, their 
      loveship is never a stage-managed act 
      it's their authentic way of being
      
      unhappy families are all alike 
      in addictionship – all deadly,
      cut off from the breath of life –
      happy families, naturally,  
      are alive, vibrant, and happy  
      in unique and distinctive ways
      nurturing loveship day by day