Poetry

Rapidcycler

by Jon Paul Fiorentino


We don’t have much time left
so please don’t touch me.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m scared
or just sacred.

If I could change anything about us
it would be our area code.

I’m the slowest rapidcycler in the whole wide world-
unhook me from the drip.

We are all entitled to our own hyperbole
especially you.

Montreal has made a fool of me
for the second last time.

I’m not suggesting we’re all losers.
I’m insisting upon it.

- Published February 2006

Jon Paul Fiorentino's fourth book of poetry, The Theory of the Loser Class , is forthcoming from Coach House books. He lives in Montreal, where he is the managing editor of Matrix magazine.