Yeah, I understand that. And if desire is a means toward the end of procreation, I don't even mind if procreation is off the table, because rationally, it's not something I'm even interested in.

But what good is civilization if it's the one thing standing in the way of something I want so badly (that is, to spend more time with her, and to let her know what she means to me) that not getting it physically hurts?

And how civilized are we really if society can't recognize that having these feelings isn't synonymous with a predatory impulse, that there is no recourse to medical/therapeutic/even philosophical care for dealing with feelings this strong, and that I can't even talk about the issues I'm struggling with to the people I love and trust most, but can only communicate them anonymously to mostly strangers?

It seems to me like something is missing. Something like compassion. And we're expected to navigate these confusing waters with composure at all times? Is it any wonder that not all of us can hack it? And why isn't the rest of "civilization" doing anything productive to rectify this messy situation?

I don't demand satisfaction, but if I can't have it, I should at least be provided with some kind of resource for coping with the frustration and disappointment.