Tangerine

Today is a tangerine
I am peeling slowly
placing each section in my mouth
to savor it there, letting
the sweet juice run
till it bites lips and tongue

Today is a song played
in a forgotten room
where we dance in slow circles
eyes closed growing dizzy
falling together, falling apart
touch and breath and beating heart

Today is a lover's touch
softly given and then gone
sleight of hand and a tricky beat
that quick sharp ache
wild taste on the tongue
citrus-tang and wine-spun

Today is a thousand years
a moment flown from memory
I take it piece by bitten piece
skin and scent and hair unspooled
rind and peel and seed, oh
sweet, oh shameless tangerine





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