FOR BETTER; OR FOR WORSE

FOR BETTER; OR FOR WORSE

You’ve heard the term before,

It’s to do with making commitments;

You can possibly repeat the rest

Of the promises, one is asked to make.

I shan’t repeat them here, they add little 

to my theme, my subject. Do I hear

Fingers tapping, “get on with it!”

For better; for worse!

The theme is commitments;

Those we seek; those that choose us;

One could discuss “free will” and choice;

These have their limits.

It’s a matter of DOING and BEING.

Do you want to write? To paint? To sculpt?

It begins simply enough, not too demanding;

Then you want more, to improve; to better yourself;

The process becomes more demanding,

Requiring a greater degree of commitment;

Demanding more of yourself, do you say “stop”,

“No more!?” Would be your choice to say I quit”.

The other option is: to embrace your passion;

To say “I am yours; lead me where you will”.

The principle’s the same for sports, commerce;

And dare I say, “Life”, and everything it covers?

Everything it covers: the lot; the small and the large;

From the gently caressing to the overwhelming;

From gasping in delight to cowering in fear;

From optimism to despair.

Things happen in LIFE. We are born, grow, develop;

Sometimes things go astray - and we have to adapt;

We continue to grow, upskill and learn more.

It’s the relationships that we find ourselves defined in

and by, that interest me. Parenthood is a primary one.

Is there a choice in being a parent? Yes? No? Maybe?

Is it a commitment? For certain! For how long?

A lifetime. Is it something you “grow into”?

Kind of, sort of. Do you ever stop learning?

An academic question? No. No. No. No.

Is the process of raising children scientific?

(read methodical, logical?). No x 5

There’s an element of planning;

The process is chaotic, emotional, and exhausting.

Learn from your disasters. Is the problem long-lasting?

There is no closure date unless mutually agreed.

There is no “it’s too hard”; try, try, try.

A father is committed to his sons;

They might be committed to him;

His commitment is to share his love

With them, regardless of circumstance.

A commitment that has only one end.

For better; for worse; until death do us part.

Until death do us part. The final “goodbye”.