Melons

When asked if the melon is ripe

The girl behind the counter at the Chinese-Canadian Deli

Sniffs the pale green globe, shakes her head

And pointing to a small beige circle, says:

This is the melon’s bottom

The melon is ripe,

When the bottom smells sweet.

While outside,

The Christmas traffic

Stalls on Dunbar Street.

Photo: Sitting on the Fence (2)