Hide the Saliva - August 3, 2023

my dogs are like my kids

my mangoes like brothers

peaches pomegranates and

mulberries like so many

nieces and nephews that

come for a visit once a year

sorry oranges I think of

you as weak acquaintances

the tomatoes though

feel like quests i really want to

stay but always leave unexpectedly

in the middle of the night

no apologies no goodbyes

no chance for me to hug

and hold them one last time

and hide the saliva

underneath my tears