variable, 

the way the 

rain drops

when the

sun stays

above our

heads 

 

earth’s movement

around the sun, 

earth’s orbiting

to exist, to stay

 

my soul 

has become

chewing gum, 

stretched 

 

i once

asked you 

about the 

meaning 

of “tangy”

as you

picked

oranges 

and you

described 

the word

as “fierce”

 

fruit salad, 

various colors

combined, 

creating sweetness

 

so i wonder if 

this mixed bowl

of fruit salad 

can teach us

the power

of a label