Photo by: Claudia Grinnell
The Smell of Oranges

My mother would ask
If I wanted them cut or peeled
I'd answer that I wanted them peeled
if only to see her fingers hold them
like clay to be molded.
After peeling their husk,
she would put her thumbs in the centre
and break each into halves;
Later separate the slices, one by one.

I marvel at the flexible skins
pulling away,
not ever breaking at the pressure.

-- Jill Chan



spank thru