It Happened on the Way to the Blood Oranges
Steve Sibra


 
I walk to the store to get a bag
of blood oranges.  I take my time
like an old guy.
Some kids go by in a beat-up
Ranchero.  They yell
one kid screams
“Your sex change
was a failure!” He throws
a handful of coins at me
I get a good look at him
he looks like he eats too much
cheese.  I pick up the dimes & quarters
 
At the grocery I buy the oranges
& an Aquaman comic book.  By page 4
Aquaman’s girlfriend has been kidnapped;
I read on until page 6 then I give up
I can see where things are going.
On the way home, I see the same Ranchero
driving slow, they don’t know me
now.  As they go by, I fire
a blood orange in the passenger window
hits Cheese right in the face
he screams again but different now
they don’t stop, I keep walking
 
When I get home
Aquaman rescues Mera;
there is vitamin C everywhere.

 










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About the Author: Steve Sibra grew up in eastern Montana in a farming community of less than 1000 people. For 35 years he has made his living by selling vintage comic books. His work has appeared in numerous literary journals including Jellyfish Review, Crab Fat Magazine and Close To The Bone.

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