Front Porch is the online literary journal of Texas State University’s MFA program. Founded in 2006 by MFA students, Front Porch publishes exceptional poetry, fiction, nonfiction, reviews, and interviews. This entry is by Katherine Hoerth.
La Pulga Beauties
I lay here with my sisters, naked skin to naked skin-we’re on display
this Saturday at La Pulga, feeling the eyes of the hungry
sliding across our yellowing shine. They search me for bruise
and blemish, fingertips asking if the hands that bloomed me were rough,
or if I fell too soon and grew bitter inside. Fingers long to unbutton, to slit
open the rind, to touch. But until they reach into their pockets, pull out
the last of their coins, these hands can only imagine the hues:
Yellow—she’s been picked too soon. Too pink and she’s already bitter.
The red flesh tastes the sweetest. But they won’t know
until I’m opened up, my pith peeled away – tossed to the floor,
and the bare center of this Rio Red toronja blushes in the sunlight.
