I wonder at this time of year
what they like more
the poems or the oranges?
hoping neither is too tart or dry
nor lost their ability to leave
a memorable taste in the mouth
maybe I’ll have an idea if I see
a trail of peels leading
away from today’s poem
versus a pile of pith and skin
left by someone who stayed
for the mandarin’s sweet treasure
while also biting into the lyrics
and deciding whether the poem
was worth the chew and swallow