Bonding
“Dating is a chain in which two or more people gather in an enjoyable, consensual romantosexual relationship.”
That is what the textbook’s stating
But let me tell you the reality of dating
Now, don’t get me wrong
The textbook’s not too wrong
But I think the definition’s a little too long
Dating is a chain of two or more people
That’s really it, denotatively speaking
But let’s get figurative, and go into connotation
A chain like dating is strong yet versatile
It’s not monochrome, but multifaceted, in a good way
You go on dates
Hold hands, maybe kiss
Maybe share a night with your precious mate(s)
Regardless of that matter
You’re wound up like a chain
And a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
That is why relationships must help people grow
You help your partner(s)
Make them thrive
Help them rise to the sky up high
And hope that in all that fun you don’t die
But that’s too depressing
Sorry in advance
But we have to talk about the dark side of it all
Sometimes, a chain will rot
Someone may be abusive, or worse, murderous
And not just physically; emotionally, too
A chain will become corrosive; it shatters and it breaks
And the people involved will become more sour than grapes
It’s a sad thing
And we must fight against it
Dating’s about love and the joy that it brings
So, the chain, I say, is a chain of love
Passion, compassion, attachment, no abashment
Just letting it all go
Together, as one
Even more so, it’s a chain made of clay to mold
Make the relationship what you want, and what you need
Make it into something that will be proud to be seen
Sure, you’ll mess up
Sometimes, the clay will melt
But, please don’t give up
Remold it until there is nothing to mold
Then chain it all together
Like the chain that is dating
Dating’s so many things
And a chain connects them all
~L.L Livingston