Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Miriam Wei Wei Lo

Fruit in Season 4: Prayer in Mid Winter

Fruit in Season 4: Prayer in Mid Winter

Fruit in Season 4: Prayer in Mid Winter

Just over the fence, the neighbour’s mandarin
lifts dark green branches to a low grey sky.
Fruit in the topmost branches, held like an offering.
What can I offer? Only a heart that is broken,
broken as this mandarin: ripped peel and segments
spread out on the palm, each minute sac of juice
curved in supplication: Forgive me
Rain breaks from the clouds in thundering absolution.
The whole house echoes. Half-afraid and laughing,
the children run in and throw themselves at my legs.
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Fruit in Season 4: Prayer in Mid Winter

Just over the fence, the neighbour’s mandarin
lifts dark green branches to a low grey sky.
Fruit in the topmost branches, held like an offering.
What can I offer? Only a heart that is broken,
broken as this mandarin: ripped peel and segments
spread out on the palm, each minute sac of juice
curved in supplication: Forgive me
Rain breaks from the clouds in thundering absolution.
The whole house echoes. Half-afraid and laughing,
the children run in and throw themselves at my legs.

Fruit in Season 4: Prayer in Mid Winter

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