Orange

Skin hard, opaque, the world always at a distance,

you give so little away. Not to be kissed or bitten,

that exterior, though touched: smooth, resistant.

Bitterness below, yet eternally pithy. Never let it be

said you are not crisp as your rosy-skinned cousin.

Still, I have seen the softness beneath, how very

discrete you can be. I know you are sweet, dear orange.

I have licked you from my thumbs.

05/20/2018