Dina Del Bucchia : Never More Than Anything (for Nikki Reimer

from Report from the Reimer Society, Vol. 1 No. 1

 

 

 

 

I used to think I was never more
than a little faker trying to run
alongside real ones, like you.

I think people assume
poet friendships are fragile,
but they don’t know
about the strength of our
*redacted*
group message.

And they fucking never will
because not everyone deserves
inner circle jeers access,
vulnerable gifs, or answers
to heart-sad mysteries, poet
detectives getting to the
bottom of a matter no one
else cares about. But we
care deeply.

I want to clap
and shout-sing
like the most annoying person
at the karaoke bar
(which let’s face it,
I’ve been), adapting lyrics
to make them personal
to my inner circle.

Hey Nikki
You’re so fine
You’re so fine
You blow my mind!
Hey Nikki!
*Clapping emojis*
Hey Nikki!
*Clapping emojis*

But that song gets it wrong.
I mean, not this part, but the rest.
Cuz you do understand. Which makes
me feel less like torching
the Eiffel Tower for attention.
Or more realistically,
the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas.
Flights are cheaper
and I’m a poet.

I’ve never been to Paris,
I’ve never been to Vegas,
but, Nikki, I’ve been to you!

 

 

 

Dina Del Bucchia is a writer, podcaster, literary event host, editor and creative writing instructor. She is the author of the short story collection, Don’t Tell Me What to Do, and four collections of poetry: Coping with Emotions and Otters, Blind Items, Rom Com, written with Daniel Zomparelli, and, It’s a Big Deal! She is the Artistic Director of the Real Vancouver Writers’ Series, hosts the podcast, Can’t Lit, with Jen Sookfong Lee and is on the editorial board of the small literary press, fine press. Her chapbook, Douche Process, is available online at ryanfitzpatrick.ca/modelpress/. Her new collection, You’re Gonna Love This, will be out in spring 2024 with Talonbooks. It’s her first book length poem and it’s very scary. You can check out her website at dinadelbucchia.com