I peel the orange
because you sighed
at my request
for you
your hands
gently ripping me apart
I peel the skin
bruised –
blood under the skin
am I that sour?
I shed
I molt
I leave myself behind
I am the pulp under
your nails
I linger
I scratch
I beg
I peel the orange
tasting my own bitter sweetness
I am a paradox, a complication
summarize me
pity me
I’ll let you lick my wounds
even if you bite
take me back
take me back
back across the river styx
I’m lost under this skin now
condemned to peel it away
this time in a bus the color I wanted
to paint my bedroom when I was nine
when we shared the taste of
being
I peel the orange
take my slice
please
I miss your sour sweetness
under you
I was always tasted
your gentle tongue
your sharpened teeth
you always had your way
the way you liked it
the way I could never refuse
peel my sins away
I peel my orange
it will always be me
