Loving Relationships

In our search for connectedness,
we find many options.
All are good, none are bad.

When the goal is companionship--
Non-committed dating.
Safe, exploratory, easy to escape.
Emotional intimacy with or without coupling.

When we're just not ready--
Transitional Relationship
Two people sharing a bus ride,
a brief journey to separate destinations.
Getting on and off at different points.
Sharing the advantages of commitment yet
bound by time.

Sexual Encounter--
for physical connectedness and release, for emotional pleasure, mirroring, validation. Two ships passing in the night.

Committed--
Serious stuff! For achieving life's goals, for making babies, nurturing others, for taking lifelong responsibility, for combining family groups, for accepting tradition.
© Patricia Shriver