Danny says, “Okay, Mom: you don’t have to date.”

As I admitted at the beginning of the week, what I’ve learned from my Internet dating fling is I’m not ready for it. But also, I haven’t been clear enough about what I want from the imagined other. I’m still not. I’m only mostly clear about what I don’t want.

Here:

As usual, I don’t know whom I seek
but I can list the traits I will reject.
I won’t consider one who’s short or meek,
and I can’t like where there’s no self-respect.
I don’t want poor unless it was the smart
decision, and though faith and feeling’s strong,
believers need not aim to hold my heart –
I think indulging craziness is wrong.

I do not want a needy paramour.
I don’t desire one who seeks from me
dependence or a geisha-like rapport;
I cannot cling nor fake passivity.
I want to meet a man who loves his life
so much he doesn’t need to find a wife.