The Culture and Politics of Habits

How do different cultures encourage or discourage habits and addictions?  How do politics influence which addictive substances are available and to whom?  Do you know anyone addicted to hot spiced masala chai tea?

if i were you
and you were me
and the four of us sat down to tea

we sat in a circle
and you stood in a line
we waved out the window
and felt we felt fine
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then you started thinking
what i had thunk
about what you had thought of me

so i hung on a ledge
and you swung on a vine
and we climbed all the trees
in order to feel taller
we passed each other
with silent tears
and flying colors

-jaysi, 1995

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