This is from one of our original emails, but due to copyright issues, it didn’t make it into the book. But the poems are so simple and perfect, that we decided to post it here.

Dear Rachel,

Some food for thought. This poem recently which made me think of your situation with Paolo. It’s by Richard Brautigan:

“It’s so nice
to wake up in the morning
all alone
and not have to tell somebody
you love them
when you don’t love them
any more.”

It’s the opposite of what we want, which is Frank O’Hara’s poem, Steps:

“oh god it’s wonderful to get out of bed
and drink too much coffee
and smoke too many cigarettes
and love you so much”

We want the latter. Obviously.

Love,
Jess

*We highly recommend any and all Frank O’hara poems.