oranges

“this time i will eat the oranges,” she says,

settling them neatly in the basket,

next to pretzels, avjar, unpronounceable things.

“vitamins,” she tells herself, adding vodka to the basket.

“they’re good for you.”

this time i will eat the oranges;

this time i will see the sights.

this time i will – i will, i will.

“next time i will eat the oranges,” she says,

spinning one in her fingers and examining the mold.

next time i will see the sights.

i will eat the food, find the art, walk along the blue-grey rivers.

next time, i will, i will, i will –

next time, i will eat the oranges, before they rot away.