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Spring 2008
Prose Title
are you okay?
by Tao Lin

i don’t think telling someone ‘don't feel sad’ will console them

you need to do whatever you can to make them feel better

whenever your actions make them feel sad

and not stop until they feel better

read my text message and think about it

you just never seem happy with me anymore

even if i make you laugh

i think the damage i’ve done has become irreversible

i ’m surrounded by endless shit

i can’t move

where are you

i just had a dream where i came to nyc but i didn’t tell you and i took the subway

to your apartment and waited for your roommate to come out so i could sneak in

then i went into your room and crawled under your sheets from the end of your bed

and crawled to your face and kissed you then pet and hugged you

and we fell asleep

happy birthday

i drew you an ugly fish comic

will you visit me today?

i want to hold you

and kiss your face

i miss walking with you at night

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TAO LIN is the author of four books including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which was published in May 2008 by Melville House. Tao's blog is at http://reader-of-depressing-books.blogspot.com.