A Prose With No Direction

tying the knot

Couples always say they're "tying the knot," following it with screams of joy, confetti, and congratulations. I once asked her what it means to "tie the knot" since I am not aware of this metaphoric slang. 

She simply replied, It just means they're getting married.

They're tying their red strings of fate together, their destinies intertwined with one another as they begin the new book in their life as a happily-ever-after, dream couple. 

But tying the knot could mean anything right? Is what I said after. 

She just nodded.

And that got me wondering and wondering and wondering. 

Tying the knot can mean anything, right?

You could say it's tying the knot around two people's red strings of fate.

Or it could also say it's tying a noose around someone's neck.

Tying a rope that binds someone's arms and legs.

Tying a kerchief that mutes someone's voice.

Tying a blindfold that blinds someone's eyes. 

Tying the knot can mean anything, right?

Just as anything can happen when you get into that kind of relationship. 

To me, tying the knot has a negative connotation to it.

Because I get the feeling I'm being tied to something I don't want to be bound to.

Just like marriage.

Marriage both intrigues the young, childish heart I still own a sliver of and terrifies the blacken, crusty, cardiac organ that sits inside my chest. 

I don't like being bound to something I can never get out of. And marriage is one of them.

To me, if I ever were to tie the knot with someone, it would be like tying my arms and legs together to prevent me from running free.

Like how marriage prevents some people from being the wild and free selves they once were.

To me, if I ever were to tie the knot with someone, it would be like tying a kerchief around my mouth, smothering my voice to prevent me from speaking.

Like how marriage prevents some people from speaking their minds.

To me, if I ever were to tie the knot with someone, it would be like tying a blindfold around my head, darkening my vision to prevent me from seeing the world as it is.

Like how marriage blinds and prevents people from seeing their significant other as their true, hideous form.

If I ever were to tie the knot with someone, it would be like tying a noose around my neck, suffocating me until I can no longer breathe.

Just like how marriage suffocates the freedom of those bound to it.

People always say they're "tying the knot" with someone they love, indicating that they're going to be happily married soon. 

People always think "tying the knot" is good.

But to me, "tying the knot" has a different connotation, a negative connotation, that makes my chest go— 

Pitter-patter.

Because when a couple actually "ties the knot," they're actually tying the chains and burdens of a marriage to one another, a chain that holds someone back from the opportunities that lay out before them. 

If I ever were to "tie the knot," call for help.

Because that's where you know I've fallen so, so deep that I'm accepting the bondage of a marriage and willing to have a noose tied around my neck as the box I stand on underneath is kicked off.