To My Dear Friend, Atom,

Atom, you've been such a close friend to little Me.

You've defined my existence so positively

By keeping an ion Me and letting me stay.

Atom, please don't take this in a negative way,

But I feel that I must now step aside

There's this little thing I can no longer hide.

Water'm about to say isn't easy.

I can't help but feel a bit queasy.

Someone else has charged into my life.

I'm attracted to this someone. Now I feel strife

Because I've shed my negative thoughts on you.

I feel as if I owe something to you.

What I propose is an exchange.

My new friend says it can be arranged.

If you could share your sorrows and woe

With my friend's other friend, I'm sure it would go.

I'm afraid I need variance and this is the only solution.

I just hope that these words won't be your pollution.

I hope you react with some enthusiasm

Because I really don't mean to desert you, Atom.

This friend has had an ion Me, too

And wants to keep me from being blue.

I don't want you to suffer as I turn away,

But I'm afraid that this must happen today.

Our friendship was great. Please don't be bitter

But when times change, lives twitter.

There's just one thing I would like to know:

Water you going to do when I go?

Will you leave forever to be another's savior?

Or will you float around here and be my NaBr?

I--I feel as if I've lost my valance,

I'm dizzy. I'm spinning. I need your talents,

But I've pushed you away now, and I'm sad, too.

My new friend likes my sorrow, so I must remain blue.

But my new friend is so neutral and has no emotion.

All I hear is "OH" and undying devotion.

The charge that I saw in my friend is now gone.

My excitement fades as my friend adds weight on.

My friend is just heavier, but still neutral somehow.

I have tremendously erred; I know that now.

I understand, my NaBr, that I can't return to you.

I guess, Atom, that's life. Water you going to do?

—Steve

March 16, 1995

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