telling slips

"It's important to be an alcoholic,

if you're honest with yourself"

it isn't what I meant
that matters. In your eyes, I
could be perfect! one of those guys
with a real problem, but heartbreakingly
aware of it, and scathingly self-
articulate

perfect
just the thing
to torture yourself with
and over for years. Darling,

your life could be like writing a novel
one of those
really painful novels
that you love. "Fiction memoir," like
that one guy who got excoriated,
who you always rise to defend.

Skip to the chase, shall we? We know -
both of us know!

I'm no good for either one of us. But

oh,

I'm perfect for you.

You said so.