Do you ever get
that nagging sense
that we’re kidding ourselves
to think that we could
ever make it together?
Me neither.
Sometimes, when we’re
walking down the street,
I’ll look at the windows
of the shops as we pass
just to see the reflection
of us walking together.
I’m glad
you feel comfortable
burping and farting
in my presence.
(Sort of glad.)
You sure are one of a kind.
I can’t say exactly what kind,
but you sure are one of it.
This card was the only one
among hundreds that didn’t
make me want to vomit.
Kind of like you.
Yours is a beauty
that has to be experienced
in person to be truly
appreciated, a beauty
that radiates in action –
moving this way, or that, or just
talking, laughing, breathing –
a rare beauty that cannot be
frozen in any one moment.
I guess that’s why you look
so awful in pictures.
I’m expecting something
to go terribly wrong soon.
Because having you around
is just too perfect.
You mean so much to me…
…that I’m willing to spend
a few whole dollars
on a greeting card.
Damn you
for making me say and do
so many things
I would never have otherwise
said or done.
Like this.
Just wanted to let you know
that I was thinking about you.
Well, obviously.
(You’re probably
thinking to yourself.)
…why would I send you
this card if I wasn’t
thinking about you?…
…and what a stupid thing
to say in a card…
…and even stupider
to affect stupidity,
as if that’s funny…
Well fuck you then.
It’s nearly impossible
to find a greeting card for you.
Take that as a compliment.
I just wanted to tell you…
…that I get the feeling that
if I knew you more
I’d like you more
I mean in general
the more I knew you
the more I’d like you
and that’s not something
that happens very often
I think I mean
the knowing and the liking
and the feeling I’ve got.
Not to sound like
you’re going to die soon
or anything, but
I’m really glad
I’ve had the chance
to get to know you.
And if you are
going to die soon,
I’m really sorry.
I could never imagine myself
buying cards like this.
Then a funny thing happened.
I met you.
You’re one of those people
who’s only pretty because
you’re almost …
…you come so close to being
completely repulsive
that the sense of danger
in teetering on that brink
gives your look an excitement
that’s somehow attractive,
like if a butterfly had flapped
its wings somewhere
the moment you were born,
everything might’ve been different
enough to make manifest
your face’s latent hideousness.
Know what I mean?
The other morning
I had an itch
in the back of my throat
and when I scratched it
the only way you can
those deep-down ones,
with muscle contractions
at the base of my tongue,
for a moment there…
…I tasted you.
