Yes. We may join communities for a game, or money, or interests. But we end up staying for the community.

It's especially important around poetry, I feel. Because if you write fiction, there is no paucity of people who will leave comments, and share encouragements and thoughts. But in my first stint of writing poetry, on my livejournal, between 2002 and 2009? The Silence was my constant companion. Over 7 years I got less feedback than I do on any single poem here.

I'm glad you've found a place to belong, Moe. But we still appreciate you and consider you part of the gang on the Isle as well <3

As I said recently, to someone, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves," and it matters more, not less.