quit joking aorund

I can never tell when you're joking
she used to say,

or being serious, or sarcastic.

I never know when to laugh or cry
at what
you're telling me.

can't you be like me, without a pulse.

flat lined
and dull, always a victim, always
without a smile.

sad and depressed,
emotionally drained, physically
starved.

at least you know who I am, or at least
who i'm

pretending to be.

quit joking around and be like me.

whatever that is.