The following can also be found in the book Chicago Stories 1999. Click here to learn more, and to download a free electronic copy.


Today
I bought ten packs of playing cards
(59 cents, Osco)
and I taped
520 rectangles
on the white walls
of my apartment
and every time I think of you
I pull one of the cards down
and I take a magic marker
and write
I LOVE YOU
across it
to remind me
that it can be said
and then I burn it
to remind me
that I've never said it
and then I eat the ashes
because you are not here

Copyright 1999, Jason Pettus. All rights reserved. This was published under a Creative Commons license; click here for details. Contact: ilikejason [at] gmail [dot] com.