and a whisper in my ear, you have me under.

I’m spellbound.

It’s crazy what people are willing to do for loved ones. In any other circumstance, with any other people, you would not even consider the things that come so naturally when love is involved – walk barefoot over hot coals; swim the seven seas. I may have slightly exaggerated with those two examples but what is undeniably true, is that the sky truly is the limit when it comes to pleasing the ones you love. It doesn’t even have to be for one who returns the affection.

Unrequited love is probably one of the most lethal situations to be in. Like all other types of love, you are looking through rose-tinted – seeing only the good in him, and censoring the bits you don’t want to see. It’s no wonder that psychologists call this the “Halo Effect”. Love makes him a saint and butter wouldn’t melt. The difference here is that this isn’t mutual. And that is where the problems begin.

Dance for Him, monkey

and His love for you must surely come.

Your heart tells you that there is a chance that this could work out; that given time and your efforts, he will come through and you can be together. Your mind, on the other hand, is bound and gagged from saying anything that might seem logical but that shines light on the ugliness of the situation. And so you heel at his feet, and answer to his every beck and call – like some leashed dog hoping for that treat. But it never comes. And your heart begins to bruise – torn between the hurt of rejection and the hope of reciprocation – until it breaks.

So, to those who long for the never, I say this: give yourself some dignity, stand up and dispel the curse before you fall into the abyss. Let it be you who shatters the dream, so that he may not. Don’t fool yourself into believing a fantasy.

And the Farmer will too -

gun locked and loaded.

Run, Rabbit, Run.

And your Heart will flutter -

mind pumped and ready.

Run, Rabbit, Run.

And the Race will go on -

feet nimble and agile.

Run, Rabbit, Run.

Or all will be lost -

no butterflies in your stomach;
no pretty lures and baits;
no attention;
no sight of the end (the beginning).

Run, Rabbit, Run.

Let the Chase begin.

Honey. Babe. Buttercup. Pumpkin. Cookie. Sweetie. Sweetheart. Sugar.

The list of endearments is infinitely long and all are sickly sweet or ridiculously lyrical. Everyone who is within earshot of the term (whichever it may be) is almost certainly going to have to check their gag reflex for fear of actual expulsion of their recently consumed meal. Only the one on the receiving end is oblivious to the complete and utter inappropriateness of the words in the situation. As you may have gathered, I’m not the biggest fan of PDA (Public Displays of Affection) and the use of endearments comes under that title. I’m not a total heartless prick though. I can just about accept “babe” in mixed company. “Babe”, yes; “baby”, no. It’s like, we already know you’re an item by your body language (from close proximity to holding hands, to everything but sexual intercourse on the streets). So we don’t need you to reiterate your point by then calling each other “cookie” or “sugarplum”. It’s just not necessary, and downright wrong.

Another annoying thing about endearments is that it is now more and more common to extend the usage outside of romantic relationships. I have been called “babe” and “hun” by complete strangers and the experience always leaves me feeling confused and rather angry. I am not your “baby”. Stop being so condescending you little queen, and just give me my drink! Argh! What is with all this over-friendliness and pretend familiarity? Why can’t we just return to the good ol’ days where we just beat each other up?

Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories they’re haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye

Even with our fists held high
It never would’ve worked out right
We were never meant for do or die

I didn’t want us to burn out
I didn’t come here to hold you, now I can’t stop

I want you to know that it doesn’t matter
Where we take this road someone’s gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn’t have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I’m already gone

Looking at you makes it harder
But I know that you’ll find another
That doesn’t always make you want to cry

Started with a perfect kiss then we could feel the poison set in
Perfect couldn’t keep this love alive
You know that I love you so, I love you enough to let you go

I want you to know that it doesn’t matter
Where we take this road someone’s gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn’t have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I’m already gone

I’m already gone, already gone
You can’t make it feel right when you know that it’s wrong
I’m already gone, already gone
There’s no moving on so I’m already gone

Already gone, already gone, already gone
Already gone, already gone, already gone, yeah

Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories they’re haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye

I want you to know that it doesn’t matter
Where we take this road someone’s gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn’t have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I’m already gone

I’m already gone, already gone
You can’t make it feel right when you know that it’s wrong
I’m already gone, already gone
There’s no moving on so I’m already gone

However, it is argued that the internet – rather than bringing people together – is creating a gulf between humans. Absorbed into this cyberspace, people are less and less likely to make face2face contact with each other, choosing instead to just instant message or email. Extended to the dating world, it is argued that people are forging unsustainable relationships, fueled by inaccurate intepretations of self and invalid descriptions. In other words, people are falling for a fictional character. It’s easy to lie on the here. There isn’t the eye contact to reveal any discrepancies between fact and fiction. Photos are easily edited and even copied. All in the attempt to make oneself appear better than what one might actually be. Unfortunately, this glorified Frankenstein can’t live forever, and eventually the mask must be removed. Our mortality goes beyond what we experience first hand – it spills into everything that we do. So why go to the effort of giving birth to this imaginary You, which must die a shameful death and leave the real you scarred and embarrassed? Be brave, be human, be You.

this is not the life you wish to see,
and he is not the world you want him to be.
so sleep and fall into loving dreams,
where everything and anything is just as it seems.

this love will have no borders nor gates -
save them for the checkpoints and war torn states.
it will conquer and it will overcome,
as long as you to this lullaby, succumb.

they linger -
their hands still caressing;
their breath still warming
on the nape of your neck.

they whisper -
gentle words still soothing;
soft songs still echo
at the back of your mind.

they wander -
their presence still lasting;
footsteps still sounding
in the hallways outside.

The reason I bring this up is because of a recent conversation with some close friends about relationships. It is probably not untrue to say that the majority of people in this world who are not already in a relationship, are actively looking to be in one; wanting the one person who can make them whole. But what we concluded was that relationships are far more hassle than they appear to be worth. Sure, they can make you feel the happiest you’ve ever yet felt, but also they can cause the most agony that you’ve ever had to experience. It’s a double-edged sword – one that has had you working forever to get it. And then there’s the feeling of greener grasses. What if there is a better person for you out there? What if you are just settling for the current partner because you so desperatelywant to be in a relationship? I, personally, think that relationships are the most amount of trouble ever, and don’t know whether they are worth it or not. Afterall, what makes this relationship different from all the other relationships?