Joseto Solis

from The Ingredients of Oneself

Starters


#4    Prone to Mango
        "It seems everyone is prone to fall. . . what else to do?"

4 cherry tomatoes
1 large ripe mango
1 fresh green chilli, deseeded & finely chopped
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
salt & pepper
200g shelled jumbo prawns, cooked
fresh coriander chopped to garnish

Before the buzzing and stirring in my head go off, am readying myself to see you today. A hot shower washes away any fear on the surface, down the drain peeled off layers of so-little-help to make me closer to you. And on the steamed up mirror my finger draws your name across my reflection. The condensed drops down-sliding cut my face into uneven shapes.

Setting off with a tropical fruit in my left hand for me to give to share with you except for the seed. Have seen it too well for two days and many years: offering chunks of juicy flesh for you to eat.

Everything adds up to the mix: the time, the day, no clouds with rain and the grass soft as if almost chopped. My eyes wander around to meet your and then, your stare, more as a glance, empty and cold out of an icebox. Before the display of my flesh pink out of the sea, you are gone. I fold myself in.