A woman’s body is not yours, son.
And yours not hers.
Never forget,
she’s not yours to possess.
Before you hold her
to your hip,
hold her in your heart, son
in love.
in adoration.
in mutual respect.
A woman is not a goal to score
or wild sea to tame.
Never claim her
as a notch on your belt
or someone you nailed;
this would only tell me
your masculinity
has divorced
your humanity.
Hollywood holds no light
to the ragged beauty
of true togetherness.
Love and lust and sex
are terribly messy, son.
They are fragile
and break often;
this is normal.
Invest in your soul, son.
And do not throw it
to the wind,
or any woman
who throws herself
at your feet.
Wait. Wait for those
worthy of your fine heart.
You’ll learn lots as you go
through joy, pain and elation.
Just promise me, son
you’ll go slow
making every date
and ‘I Do’ count
for both of you.
TO MY SON: ON DATING AND I DOs
David Tensen