Tangelo Winter
There are still tangelos on the tree, at this late date in February. Some soft large
ones have fallen on the ground; some that are high in the tree will be eaten by
racoons. I have gathered many of these fruits, pale and deep orange, some easy to
peel, some with few seeds, and some so seedy they might as well be cheremoyas. I
am thankful for the free fruit and for the mixture of sun and rain that brought on
such a rich harvest this year. It may be the most memorable thing about this winter,
which has been full of turbulence in the world, and which has brought some sorrow
to this house. I longed for treats with no trouble, fruit that was sweet with no
annoying seeds, even as I knew that the knobby seeds, like the more annoying and
painful aspects of life, are what bring on another season of fruit for us to eventually
enjoy.
Tangelo winter
Ripe rich fruit for the picking
Reward not asked for.
© Lynne Bronstein
Bio: Lynne Bronstein is the author of Nasty Girls (Four Feathers Press) and four
other books of poetry. She has been published in magazines ranging from Playgirl
to Chiron Review, from Lummox to anthologies in England, Ireland, Israel,
Canada, and India. Her short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies
and has been read on National Public Radio. She also writes a column on Facebook
and Substack called Show Biz Cats.
