As Inspired by one of the most influential French poets of the nineteenth Century, Charles Baudelaire.

Bill…My Only Friend

     “[Love—] an oasis of horror in a desert of boredom,” comes across as a tragic assertion spoken by a man incapable of love. As a hopeless romantic, I am sickened by the fact that there is some truth attached to this statement graciously provided by one of the most influential French poets of the nineteenth Century, Charles Baudelaire.

    Breaking down the two parts of the excerpt: “[Love—] an oasis of horror […],” is where the trouble begins. Love, which is sometimes defined as, “a temporary insanity curable by marriage […]” (The Devil’s Dictionary 148), can beckon the smartest of men to do the stupidest of things when staring into the giant oasis. When seeking refuge—acceptance—we will break open our wallets, only to find there is no money inside, however, thanks to credit, spending money that does not exist—the mirage—we simply swipe our cards to pay for the steak dinner at Season’s 52. Another example is when we—as men—are challenged by another man, will suddenly turn into the wildest of beast to protect our women. Given the times we are in, one does not take into consideration that our worthy adversary may very well be carrying a weapon or is simply a better, smarter foe. These examples nonetheless, are more related to the courting process; our personal oasis becomes deeper involved when falling in love.

     In the beginning of true love, we journey down the path of what is referred to as the, “honey moon,” phase. Everyone is happy and we have not yet learned of each other’s tragic flaws. Slowly but surely the mirage begins to break apart and we begin to clearly see what is truly in front of us. This is where the, “I can change them,” portion of the relationship begins and for the next several years we try and try and try. It is not until after the dust settles that we realize alteration is impossible; thusly the harsh reality of acceptance begins. “Is this really the person I want to spend the rest of my life with?” escapes our every thought. Ultimately the answer is no, unless you have found the perfect match.

     Insert marriage.

     Thus begins the second part of our horrific quote, “[…] in a desert of boredom.” How many happy marriages are there and can one really remain satisfied with the same individual for the rest of their lives? This is after all, what marriage calls for declaring, “until death do us part.” I for-one am scared straight by this passage understanding that after repeating my vows to my truelove, I am to remain, in a state of wedlock until one of us meets our maker.

     But what if?
  
     The inevitable question will forever linger in our minds, placing an x and y value throughout our timeline with said spouse. Is this to say that if my wife cheats on me, I am to take her life so that I may move on with mine? The obvious answer is no, but what is a contract without consequences? On the contrary and more importantly, what if—there is my variable—I simply become bored? I am to remain in a state of boredom until one of us expires? Perhaps this marriage was only for now and there is another soul out there more suitable. Tragic and somewhat comedic, I believe this to be human nature; to always find the greener grass on the other side of the fence. The challenge is to not become bored when roaming the desert for love. Now, if someone out there could do the math and fill in my variables that would truly make me happy and maybe, just maybe answer the question to true love.

     In seeking refuge, I turn to the wisdom of William Shakespeare to show me the way through my very own oasis of horror in a desert of boredom. Simply put: “[…] love is blind, and lovers cannot see” (The Merchant of Venice np). Thank you Bill for your true words of irony.

     If only he was a mathematician.

     Fin.