I bite into a fresh
orange segment.  A flood
of tart juice surges
over my tongue.  Taste buds
spasm.  I cringe, squeeze
my eyes shut, wait
for a wash of sweetness
I hope will follow.

If there is a way to lessen
that initial jolt, please
tell me now.  Just because
I can free
citrusy fragrance
with the first prick
of my knife, just because
I have mastered the trick
of removing the peel
in one long sinuous curl,
does not mean
I am somehow prepared
for the coming sting
of such hunger.