Small piece of myself

SMALL PIECE FOR MYSELF

I cut my day
unevenly—
tangerines in pieces...
like me.

Juice lingering
on my fingertips,
some dripping down
my forearm to the elbow,
sticky,
bitter-sweet
on my tongue.

We both come apart
more easily
than we should,
but not without offering
something gentle.

A small piece for myself
as I sit at the kitchen table
at night,
when it’s quiet
and the day is done—

savouring what’s left
of its sweetness.