The Mandarins

It is Christmas, but it could be any day
mandarins are in my aunt's silver tray
A woman I respect in every possible way
A woman with dignity even today
when she said I lived my life and now, 
with no regrets, I lie here and wait

I peel a mandarin to reveal a perfect ball
cause life should not have walls too tall
to block the memories of smiles long gone 

I peel another mandarin to understand
the unjust inevitability of our universe
so immense, intense and yet so terse