The well-adjusted, socially-conscious
representation of Man’s better half
is fully cognizant of just how shitty
a person he really is, but she can’t help
hoping there’s some way to change
his behavior in a permanent way.
She’ll undertake a relationship as a challenge,
a ceaseless battle to be fought until:
a) she wins
b) she gets fed up with the whole thing
c) she dies while suffering under unlimited contractual obligation.
As an idea, I completely disagree with calling this personality flaw love, since there are women who date men for the challenge of changing them but also since that doesn’t make love and not all people are like that.
As a poem, I’m intrigued by your use of listing. I like the structure you have going here. My favorite poems have lines that make me happy to speak. ‘unlimited contractual obligation’ definitely gives me that feeling.
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Thank you for the comment! I appreciate when readers offer their two cents and offer their perspective. Originally, I had the piece all written up without a title, and figured that “Love” would be an interesting copout (especially since I’m quite cynical in that arena these days).
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