Rotten Oranges

• Josie Marshall, Grade 7
• Poetry
• 2022

They say if one orange in the bowl is rotten you should throw it out,
Because it won't be long until the rest of the fruit is spoiled.
But tell me,
What if I'm the rotten orange?
What if I'm ruining everything I touch and I don't know how to stop?
What if the closer you get to me the more damage I do?
What if you tried to love me and I turned you rotten too?
What if decomposition is the only love I know?
What if I belong where the rotten oranges go?