Poems about Oranges and Love: A Tangy Twist

Exploring the Sweetness of Love through Citrus Imagery

When it comes to exploring the themes of love and desire, poets have often turned to vibrant and unexpected metaphors. One such metaphor that has stood the test of time is the humble orange. With its bright color, refreshing scent, and tangy taste, the orange provides a unique lens through which to examine the complexities of love. In this article, we will delve into a few captivating poems that combine the imagery of oranges and the emotions of love, creating a poetic fusion that is both refreshing and thought-provoking.

1. "Orange" by Gary Soto

Orange, a poem by Gary Soto, beautifully captures the essence of youthful love through the lens of a simple orange. In this poem, Soto describes the act of peeling an orange with the same care and tenderness one might approach a budding romance. He writes:

The first time I walked
With a girl, I was twelve,
Cold, and weighted down
With two oranges in my jacket.
December. Frost cracking
Beneath my steps, my breath
Before me, then gone,
As I walked toward
Her house, the one whose
Porch light burned yellow
Night and day, in any weather.
A dog barked at me, until
She came out pulling
At her gloves, face bright
With rouge. I smiled,
Touched her shoulder, and led
Her down the street, across
A used car lot and a line
Of newly planted trees,
Until we were breathing
Before a drugstore. We
Entered, the tiny bell
Bringing a saleslady
Down a narrow aisle of goods.
I turned to the candies
Tiered like bleachers,
And asked what she wanted—
Light in her eyes, a smile
Starting at the corners
Of her mouth. I fingered
A nickle in my pocket,
And when she lifted a chocolate
That cost a dime,
I didn't say anything.
I took the nickel from
My pocket, then an orange,
And set them quietly on
The counter. When I looked up,
The lady's eyes met mine,
And held them, knowing
Very well what it was all
About.

Through the act of sharing an orange, the poet explores the beauty of a young love, filled with innocence and the excitement of discovery. The orange, a symbol of their budding connection, serves as a bridge between the speaker and his love interest, allowing them to share a moment of intimacy and understanding.

2. "Valentine" by Carol Ann Duffy

In her poem "Valentine", Carol Ann Duffy offers a refreshing take on love, utilizing the imagery of an onion to explore the complexities of affection. However, within her poem, she mentions the scent of oranges, which adds another layer of tangy symbolism. She writes:

Here.
It will