A.C.

[acsunday]

The Anguish of Tangerine Acid 2.0

Cautious dismantlement of my tangerine and life. 

Sunlight roamed the bare, blank and distasteful ruins of this room.

Her calculated movement occupied my mind, as I, unable to evenly cough, stared wonders at my wife. 

Unsweetened, tender diffusion of the juiceful commodity, she tore apart, ravaging a new one. A present, faithful opportunity. An opening for conversation, for the beautiful hearing of her yarning tears.

I beg, and sob.

How would I, the little sickened, phony stance of a man fulfill her wandering, cavernous dreams?

She begins, “I want you to know-”

I halt, mounting and howling for a change, “Don’t leave me.”

"I want you to know that I won't."

The relief rushed in my body, the unwelcoming, adrenaline I wished upon. I sought that wellness, that desire to be loved, to know in which a human could express herself for my sake. It reminded me of life, what it meant to live. However, nothing comes close to when she handed me that delicate slice. It relied on balance, on my touch, even so, I try to hold on to it, try to nourish it and appreciate it, even so, it squeezes against my malnourished touch. It sprays on the sheets, a distraughting mess. 

The one I am.

When will I stop letting others down?

[acsunday]

Farther from the Heart

One rock, followed by a harsh tug at the heart.

"I know I am a good person."

One stripped tear flowing down—a stream of forgiveness and bewilderment.

"I don't know why my parents would retaliate to that, but I *know* I am a good person."

One pathetic howl into the muddy, leftover fragments of life.

[acsunday]

Ophir Sorin De Luz

Orphin ponders, "Has the sun decreased?"

His words are parallel to their plight. Starved of knowledge and dignity, he dared Hecta.

Swiftly, she declines, followed by the quench of noise.

"My lady, may you find forgiveness for I have so many wonders."

"Such as?" Frowning upon his indecency to even introduce himself.

A smile throbbed on his bearded face. His checks are congruent to the hectic moves. Does this young man have chicken waste on his mind? What could possibly forge an ingenious boy with a thousand scars and thoughts?

She bit her lower lip, pointing the metal sword tip against the lad's blouse. "I shall leave you here. Shall make barbecue with your infuriating self."

There was a slight confusion in his hazel eyes. Hecta knew not to touch the boy.

"Your fate defends you. For no one will hurt the son of a god."

He let out a soft, hungry chuckle. "No way to pierce me. No way to shake me. No way to let me find peace."

[acsunday]

The Anguish of Tangerine Acid

Gentle, careful thugs between my life and my tangerine. No woman had ever suggested opening me a fresh one. So, I stare in wonder. Begging for it to be wrong. For me to be so wrong that she would never bear the thought of leaving me.

"I want you to know-"

I had to bite softly into the fruit, feeling the desire and observing leftovers. The times I hung around, the times we went to parties, the times I whispered sweet nothings, the times we played in that same playground for years until we grew up and could not fit through the slides.

"I want you to know-"

"Don't leave me."

"I want you to know that I won't."

Those were the few last words I heard before sliding back onto my hospital bed. She handed me one last slice before I gingerly held it to my mouth, holding it so carefully, so delicate, but yet, somehow, I manage to spray the fruit on myself. When will I stop letting others down?