Every Family Has One

Justification
Is an ugly word,
Polysyllabic,
Abstract, and clunky,
But it’s accurate,

Better than justice
Or just, however
Those may seem nobler.
Justification
Is just what you do,

Not what you chant, not
What you aspire to.
Every wickedness
Anyone’s ever
Done, you’ve ever done,

Has sought out its own
Justification.
You need a story
For how you can sell
Your actions as good,

Better than others,
To convince others
Not to harm you, or
Even admire you?
Justification.